Our BIGGEST discovery yet! Château Restoration #13
Shortly after arriving at Château de Purnon, we made the most intriguing discovery. Two busts - one in pieces in the attic and the other buried amongst some stones in a collapsed outside cellar. With no idea who they were or where they had originally come from we were determined to solve this mystery.
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Such a professional and respectful Chateau restoration. Thank you for sharing your story.
Thank you for your comment and for following our adventure!
The craftsmanship of these French artisans never fail to amaze me. Their talent is breathtaking. What a beautiful chateau being restored to its rightful magnificent state.
Thank you for your comment. You are quite right - the craftsmanship is extraordinary. Restoring this incredible place would be impossible without our amazing artisans.
This was so interesting! Congratulations to the sculptor and to the architect for restoring them 🎉
Thanks for your comment and for acknowledging the extraordinary team with whom we are lucky enough to work!
You two are the Best Ambassadors for the Château!! Thank you for sharing the journey. Happy Easter
Thank you! And Happy Easter to you too!
So the new busts will be reinstalled on the roof. BRAVO!!!
Thank you! We place heritage preservation and restoration at the heart of our project. Returning them to the roof for which they were originally designed is an important part of the history of the chateau.
This was so interesting! What a pleasure it will be to have the originals inside your home to enjoy as well.
Thank you - you're quite right. They are wonderful to view up close!
What a wonderful story! Incredible!
Thank you!
Wow! This episode almost brought me to tears. Very exciting. Looking forward to finally seeing them in their rightful places.
Thank you for your message - we're thrilled that this story touched you also.
Wow....this is incredible! So exciting for you all!
Thank you for following our journey - we're thrilled to share another part of the history of this amazing place.
You two are so intelligent and respectful. How truly fortunate Purnon is , to have you working so hard to bring life back to this beautiful building.
Thank you for your comment. How amazing are our artisans?!
Amazing! What a wonderful find and a wonderful job on the replacements and restoration of the original statue. Can't wait to see them put back up on the roof! 😃🌹
Exactly - we can't wait also! Thank you for your message.
Felicity & Tim, OMG. The restorations and recreations of these busts have brought tears to our eyes. We're sitting here with goose bumps as well. We can't imagine how emotional this aspect of the restoration must be for you. Chateau Purnon is finally in such good hands. BW Maria e Rowan
Thanks Maria and Rowan. You have captured our emotional excitement precisely! We can't wait to see them placed back on the restored roof.
Loving watching your passion for your journey with Purnon. The history is facinating, coming from New Zealand, we are too young to experience anything like this. Never stop being Purnon"s advocate!!
Kia Ora and thank you for your message. Thrilled that you are enjoying our adventure.
utterly brilliant, folks. History can lie right under your feet in a restoration like this- literally, and every single bit can be a clue. So glad you both have yet to sweep away a single clue- and have chased each of them to recreate the Chateau de Purnon bit by bit so faithfully......eventually, I still hope to get up there/over to see you both and your stunning work! Karen / Reading UK
Thanks Karen! We have our extraordinary architect to thank for helping us to decode and understand so many of the mysteries and discoveries here at Purnon. He has taught us never to throw things away and to be patient as new discoveries help us understand what lies all around us. Best wishes to you!
Thanks a lot to save a part of the history of my country.
Merci pour votre message. Nous sommes fascinés pas l'histoire et le patrimoine français.
I love that you both are working so hard to preserve the history of the Chateau. This is exciting, and I was even emotional watching the story. Can't wait to see them both restored on the Chateau roof! Thank you so much for sharing your journey and your passion to restore this beautiful Chateau! Sending lots of love from Canada! ❤
Thank you for your wonderful message. We love sharing the history of our extraordinary home!
Let's all say a prayer for people like Ianek who do this kind of art in the background and never get the credit they are due. Bravo!
Thank you! We hope our channel gives people an opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary skill and craftsmanship of all the artisans working to save Chateau de Purnon.
How amazing the busts were still around after all that time.
We were thrilled to discover them. Thankfully enough remained for them to be accurately identified and reproduced. Great detective work by our incredible architect and amazing skill and expertise by the sculptor.
Yes, despite their lamentable condition we are so fortunate that they were still on the estate for us to rediscover.
Unbelievable and what a talented craftman Ianek is.
Thank you - Ianek is amazing!
Wow! 👏👏👏Magnificent! .. It has brought tears to my eyes. It was quiet emotional to see and hear. . Well done, Tim and Felicity. You are both doing a fabulous job of restoring something so valuable for future generations to learn about the chateau's history and to explore its wonders. You are both awe inspiring. ❤️ Karen. Vic🇦🇺
Thank you for your wonderful comment. We are thrilled that you are enjoying our journey!
Dech beroucí obnova zámku. Moc vám držím palce.
Děkuji! Vážíme si vašich přání!
Wonderful work
Me again! What is striking is how expressive the faced of the originals are.
Indeed. When compared to contemporaneous illustrations, portraits and busts of these Kings, the sculptor created a wonderful idealised model of these regal figures.
WOW. !!!!! What. A. GREAT. FIND !!!!! The. Remakes ARE EXTORDENARY !!!!! The old restored are wonderful too !!!! The. ORIGINALS. Need. To Go A. Museum !!!! Thank You FOR. SHARING. !!!!! TERESA.,, HAYWARD CALIFORNIA. USA !!!! keep up the Great Work
Thank you for following our adventure!
What a wonderful find and reproducing them to go back up. Plus the added bonus of keeping the originals inside the chateau. True dedication to preserving France’s historic culture. I so love this story.
We're thrilled you're enjoying our adventure. For our project, heritage protection and restoration is the central element.
Bravo, bravo. Vous êtes vraiment deux extraordinaires passeurs d'art et de mémoire. Une fois encore vous nous démontrez l'intérêt que vous avez pour votre splendide demeure en vous entourant d'artisans et d'architecte qui sont aussi des artistes. Vous oeuvrez à une restauration remarquable ,qui sans aucun doute fera date dans notre siècle. Bravo et merc i à vous deux. Quel bonheur de vous suivre et de vous voir réussir...
Merci pour votre merveilleux message. Nous sommes ravis que vous appréciiez notre aventure. Vous avez raison de reconnaître les formidables artisans qui rendent cette restauration possible.
So incredible to be able to restore such a thing to your roof, and in a way better than the original, being in a more durable stone!
Exactly - we feel this is the best of both worlds. More durable versions on the roof as originally intended and the fragile restored originals available to be admired inside the chateau. Thank you for following our adventure!
What an amazing find and talented sculptor. Wow!! He is truly an artist. I can't wait to see them back in their rightful place on the roof.
Thanks for your comment. Yes, a wonderful sculptor! We can't wait to see them back on the roof also.
Absolutely incredible! The busts will look fabulous on the chateaux roof. Congratulations!
Thank you!
Amazing the research and incredible skill recreating these busts! Another piece in the puzzle completed! Artistic perfection!
Thanks for your comment. The workmanship on the busts is amazing. We can't wait to show people the originals and to place the reproductions on Purnon's roof.
Such a momentous step in the restoration of Purnon. I love your posts so much. ❤
Thank you! We're thrilled that you are enjoying our adventure!
Your restoration project is one of huge proportions, keep up the good work
Thank you! There is so much still to do!
WOW, just WOW, is all I can say! 🥂👏👏👏
Thank you! We're thrilled that you're enjoying our journey.
Absolutely amazing! Congratulations!🎉🎊👩🏼🫶🏽❤️🌹
Thank you!
So amazing and historic. Thank you for this nice surprise today. 'This is very emotional" I can only imagine what it must be like to find something so precious
Thank you for following our adventure - discovering them and then seeing them restored has been emotional for us also.
Absolutely remarkable! Tim and Felicity you are both doing a magnificent and professional job on the Chateau restoration, I love each and every update you post. This video in particular is really giving us so much insight to the history of the Chateau when it was originally built and it is so fascinating and exciting. Thank you so much for sharing all of your hard work and all of the stories that are being learned as you progress through such a huge restoration. Happy Easter to you both. Heather xx
Thanks Heather - a wonderful message. Happy Easter to you too. We are thrilled that you are enjoying the history behind our restoration project!
I love your videos, they are a feast for the eyes and so much history. Bravo on your videos and more importantly, your work!
Thanks! We're thrilled that you're following our journey.
Fabulous…how lovely to see
Indeed! Thank you!
Amazing history! Thank you so much for sharing. 😊👍🇫🇷
We're thrilled you enjoyed it!
Your filming is always spectacular!
Thank you!
Fantastique, voilà des sauveurs exceptionnels !
Merci!
how glorious!
Indeed! Thank you.
This is great news. That the busts are being recreated in sturdier stone to be placed on the roof in their proper locations and that the restored originals will be displayed in the chateau is a huge step forward in the monumental task of bringing Purnon back to life.
Thanks Brett. Exactly. Stronger versions on the roof as originally constructed and the restored versions that can be viewed up close in all of their beauty and splendour. A great outcome.
What an incredible story and achievement. The installment of the busts on the roof will be an amazing accomplishment. I am looking forward to it.
Thank you! We can't wait!
Fascinating
Thrilled you enjoyed it!
Wow fantastic!!!!!
We agree!
What an incredible and amazing story. The restoration of the busts is spectacular. Thanks for sharing and Happy Easter 🐰🐇🐣 🌷😍😘
Thank you! Happy Easter to you also!
Beautiful ❤.
Indeed - it's a wonderful story. Thank you!
formidable j'ai hâte de voir la suite
Restez à l'écoute! Merci beaucoup!
Restez à l'écoute! Merci beaucoup!
Incroyable ! Probably my favorite of your discoveries. Cheers-
Merci! Yes, a truly extraordinary discovery. We're thrilled you enjoyed it!
What a fascinating episode!!!
Thank you - we're thrilled you enjoyed it!
Loved this video!!
Thrilled you enjoyed it - it's a wonderful story!
Just stunning!!!
Thank you - such an amazing part of the history of Chateau de Purnon.
Incredible find and incredible restoration and recreation. ❤
We're thrilled you enjoyed it!
Incredible
Thank you!
Amazing ❤
Thank you!
Fascinating Great video guys.
Thank you!
I can see this as an exceptional display at a visitors museum. I hope you can retain all the intermediate busts and works to display the artistry of their recreations.
Great suggestion. We will include as much as we can in the (future) Chateau de Purnon museum.
Absolutely fascinating! It will be so exciting to see them back in place!
Thank you! It's an amazing story.
It's an amazing find .
Incredible!
Your narration is wonderful because it carries the passion you have for these projects.
Thank you! We hope our enthusiasm and passion comes through in the videos.
Remarkable! ❤
Thank you!
Congratulations Felicity and Tim. This to me was the most interesting video you have produced. I love the renovations but this one with the discovery of Purnon plans and other information is so, so valuable for you and for the history of the Chateau. Well done and keep up the good work. Such a worthwhile project.
Thank you for your comment. We're thrilled you enjoyed this video so much. We love presenting the restoration works but also the history of the chateau as it is gradually uncovered.
How beautiful. Great job guys ❤
Thank you!
The two bust were probably taken down during the French Revolution. Will you be displaying the original pieces that you found somewhere inside the Chateau? It would be neat if you turned one of the rooms downstairs into a type of museum showcasing the history of the Chateau.
Thanks for your comment. It's not exactly clear that they came down during the Revolution. Other busts on the Chateau's facades survived. The Chateau itself wasn't damaged in other ways during the upheaval. The tuffeau stone from which the busts are made is very soft and fragile. It is possible that they simply deteriorated over time and either fell down (in the case of Henri IV) or were taken down (in the case of Louis XV). The new busts are made from a much stronger stone. These reproductions will be placed on the roof where the originals sat. Regarding your question about the fate of the restored busts, we will be displaying them inside the chateau. There will be a dedicated space for them so that visitors can admire them up close. We are also putting aside many artefacts for a 'Chateau Museum'. Thanks for your interest in our adventure!
Amazing!
Thank you for following our journey!
Absolutely amazing!
We agree! Thank you for following our adventure.
Wonderful!
It's a wonderful part of the chateau's history.
It's a wonderful part of the chateau's history.
Happy Easter Felicity and Tim, it always amazes me how things like your busts, end up where they do and why. I am so happy you were able to replicate them and put them back up on the roof, while preserving the originals inside. They truly were a great find and a gift to your chateau's history. Love from N.Y.
Thank you for your message! We look forward to sharing the adventure of their final return to Purnon's roof as soon as possible. Thank you for following our adventure from across the ocean!
Wonderful work, congratulations.
Thank you! We're thrilled that you enjoyed the video!
What an amazing find ❤
Indeed! It's a wonderful story.
Purnon could have passed to someone with no interest in history so I am happy it is you. This inspiring find makes me wonder what is buried in the Purnon grounds.
Thank you for your comment. It surprises and delights us that we are still discovering new things after four years.
Ty
Glad you enjoyed it!
That’s amazing I have no words!!
Thank you for following our journey.
Amazing history. Congratulations to you both on your amazing work. Happy Easter to you both and your team restoring the Château
Thank you! Happy Easter to you also.
Amazing history unfolding thanks for sharing , love your channel ❤️❤️
Thanks for following our amazing adventure!
Amazing History that u just do not see every day .
We're thrilled that you enjoyed it!
👍👍
Remarkable!
Indeed! Thank you for following our journey.
Fab! Henri IV AND Louis XV. Le vert galant et le bien-aimé !
Exactement! Une merveilleuse partie de l'histoire de la France. Merci pour votre message!
Très émouvant
Nous sommes d'accord. Merci beaucoup!
Magnificent!!
Thank you! We completely agree!
😍😍😍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻magnifique 🤩👏🏻👏🏻❤️
Merci beaucoup!
❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
How wonderful and what an artisan Yanek is to recreate them as the original. Louis XV looks like an Ancient Roman emperor. And his headdress looks similar in shape to the coronet our beautiful Catherine, Princess of Wales wore at King Charles’ coronation. Question please- why is the circular road at the front of Pernon not exiting via the original gates?
Thank you for your comment. Yes, Louis XV does resemble a Roman Emperor. Classical Roman and Greek architecture and motifs were considered the 'ideal' during the eighteenth century. Connecting a modern monarch with ancient rulers was a clever way to assert the wisdom and prudence of the current king. The head piece of Louis XV is a laurel wreath. In Roman times, a laurel wreath often symbolised military victories. Regarding your question about the path. It did originally continue through the gate. We know this because we discovered traces of the original path under the grass. However, because the ornamental gate has not had a practical use (as a point of entry and exit) for many decades the grass has grown over it. We will restore the gate and the Ha Ha over the course of the next couple of years and we will make some interesting announcements about the arrangement of the paths in that precinct when the study that precedes the work has been concluded. Thanks again for following our journey!
@ thank you for replying and I am so engaged following you both and the awakening of your beautiful Pernon. Can’t wait to see it all unfold.
04:03 Est-ce que ce n'est pas Napoléon qui a été représenté avec la couronne de laurier ? Je croyais que c'était un signe impérial, tout comme lors de l'empire romain.
Yes, but also in Ancient Greece, Roman times, neoclassicism (eg Louis XVI), Directoire, Empire. It did not just signify 'empire' but also military victory and triumph of many forms.
I would think they would look lovely in the hallways of the chateau, instead of the top of the roof ,
Thanks for your comment. They were originally placed on the roof and their placement was part of the grandeur and heritage of the chateau. The reproductions will therefore be positioned back on the apex of the roof. But the restored originals which are quite fragile will be protected inside the chateau where they will be displayed for people to admire up close.
And how is it that you know where on the roof that they had been placed? Is there visible evidence?
Thank you for your question. The two busts sat atop the stone dormers at the centre of the chateau's northern and southern facades. Two forged iron piquets embedded at the apex of each dormer mark the exact location
@ Interesting. The forensics of architectural restoration is fascinating. Thank you.
Lazer it ffs😂
Do you know the series ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’ ? In one of the episodes, the actress Brooke Shields traced her ancestry back to Louis IV … she also visited his crypt where his heart is kept. Brooke Shields is the reincarnation of Louis IV. A counsellor to Henry IV - Maximilien de Buthune, Duke of Sully - has reincarnated as Brooke Shields’ husband today - Chris Henchy. I hope that is of interest to you. Sorry, I cannot help you with Louis XV.
We didn't see this episode. Thanks for passing it on and for following our adventure!
The bust of Henry IV looks like a very old man. Is it possible that the sculptor showed that he had lost many of his teeth? Or was it that the stone had eroded?
Henry IV was not that old when he was assassinated. He was 56 years old. The head that we found in the cellar was very degraded and his refined and distinctive beard was quite damaged. For this reason, the original head gives off the impression of an old and sad man. The reproduction is a littler grander and noble as his features have been repaired. This is how he would have looked when he was originally carved at the end of the eighteenth century. Thanks for your question and interest in our project!
@ Just one more question - Do you, the architect or the sculptor know if the artist worked from life or from prints or paintings? In other words ,does anyone think the builders of the chateau actually sent a sculptor to Paris to work there? I'm guessing the original builders used someone local because the stone is the same as the rest of the chateau. This question doesn't demene the work, and in fact the sculptor was very accomplished to be able to fill out a head from a print or painting. There's more to know but perhaps no way ever to know it?. You have such a great project. I'm eager to see where the busts actually sat.
The sculptor could not have worked from life as the two kings lived in completely different centuries. But the likeness of both kings would have been well-known to French artisans, through illustrations, coins and possibly even paintings if the artist trained in a large town or city with direct access to such works. Regarding the issue of where exactly on the roof the busts sat, we can tell precisely because forged iron piquet above the central dormers mark the exact location where the busts were secured. Thank you for your interest in our adventure!
@ - What a silly question I was asking. Of course. I thought it sounded strange while writing it. .I write so many of these comments for something to do I've written a few bone headed one's too. It was late.
Why these two kings?
Good question. Essentially these two kings were closely connected to the rise of this family and their royal service. We will provide a more comprehensive explanation in a future video.
If one was on the ground .. should of told you one fell from a height, and the other in the attic was taken down
Thank you! And Happy Easter to you also!
🥚🐣🐥🎶
I think the heads would have been removed during the French Revolution. When the people got rid of the Monarchy.
This is one theory. However, there are other busts on the Chateau's facades which survived. Given there was no other damage to Chateau de Purnon during the Revolution, perhaps a more persuasive explanation is that the soft, fragile tuffeau stone deteriorated over time. The bust of Henri IV evidently fell (thus only the head survived). While we believe the bust of Louis XV was actually taken down and broken into pieces during this process. That is why we found him in the attic with all five pieces still present. But its all conjecture! Thank you for your comment and interest!
Why did they make identical costumes for Henry IV and Louis XV? The two were 100 years apart 🤔
They haven't. Louis XV has a laurel head piece, neoclassical (roman) robes and a lion motif on his breast. Henri IV has no head piece, a 17th century frieze and the order of the Holy Spirit adorning his breastplate. The two figures were sculpted at the same time by the same sculptor.
Well, why these two kings? Why not Henri IV and his son Louis XIII or Louis XV and his grand father Louis XIV??
Sounds like the others are still in place, these were the two that had come down.
There were only two on the apex of the roof. Other busts (not of French kings) adorn circular niches on the northern facade.
The reason why these two particular King's were chosen for the facade of Chateau de Purnon is connected to the history of the family that constructed the Chateau. We will explain their connection to Kings Henri IV and Louis XV in a future video..
One year of work.. might cost you €60.000,00😊
I know that you are dedicated to restoring faithfully, but to me it is a shame that they will be so high up that they won't really be visible. I would give them a new place of honour at ground level.
Thank you for your comment. The final result will be the best of both worlds. We will get the reproductions on the roof where they were originally placed. And the restored ones will be placed inside the chateau where the soft stone will be protected and they can be admired up close. When the chateau was first constructed and the statues were placed on the roof, no one would have been able to admire them like that.
❤