An incredible discovery unlocks a 250 year old mystery. Château Restoration #14
A discovery in the château attic leads us solve the identity of the architect who created the chateau and to our surprise we learn that had a secret of his own ...
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Being an architect and a historic preservationist, I am in awe that the drawings survived 250 years in reasonably good condition . I'm even more excited that you donated them to the archives. Similarly, while still living in the US, I bought a Frank Lloyd Wright house and within the vault, hidden behind a fireplace wall, I found the original blueprints. I donated them to the FLW foundation after using them to restore features lost during a bad 1970s renovation. I commend you for the work you are doing. 👏👏
Wow! What an amazing story and discovery. We're thrilled that you were able to use the drawings to correct some unfortunate interventions. The FLW Foundation must be equally thrilled to have them in their care. Thank you for following our journey!
What a dream to own a home by FLW! ❤
I commend the original Architect on the quality & excellent draftmanship of his drawings. And his creativity & imagination designing beautiful Chateau de Purnon.
Wow that’s a pretty cool find.
To think they survived the Revolution is an understatement.
It is great that these drawings will now have a permanent home with conservators always maintaining these precious finds for hundreds of years to come.
Thank you! We believe that here at Chateau de Purnon we are not just the owners but the custodians of this remarkable place and we want to share it's treasures with the wider community. This seemed the right decision for future generations.
What an absolute treasure, the original drawings. I hope that copies will comeback to Purnon. I absolutely LOVE that the gentleman explaining the drawings spoke so clearly that I could understand every word. No mumbling! Yay!
Thanks for your comment Kate. Yes, high quality copies will be on display at the chateau. And thank you for acknowledging Gregory's wonderful presentation explaining this part of the history of the chateau.
I follow a number of Chateau reno channels and must say yours is so very professional - almost documentary worthy. I enjoying seeing your progress
Thank you! We are thrilled to share our adventure with so many interested people from around the world!
What a great gift to give the drawings to an institution where they can be studied!
Thank you! We hope they will be enjoyed and studied by many people.
Yes, it's an absolutely amazing gift for others to have the advantage to study and learn from these amazing historical architectural artifacts about Purnons history! But, in the same breath, it saddens me that these magnificent architectural drawings, that have remained with the chateau from it's beginning, have been removed.
Thanks for your comment. We thought long and hard about the best future for these drawings. They needed to be professionally restored and conserved. Our resources are finite and the archivists at the Department in our region are experts. They have the temperature controlled environment in which to store them and many more specialists, students etc will be able to see them there. We will have full size copies on high quality paper displayed here at the Chateau. We feel that this is the best of both worlds. Thanks for following our journey!
I would keep one drawing and frame it.
I can't believe changes were made to the roof excluding the occuli! The plan drawings are so exquisite with occuli versus tiny dormers.
It's a shame, it would have been spectacular. I image it also was prohibitively expensive!
Perhaps even back then economies had to be made? Or the Commissioner/owner of the planned chateau changed his mind?
Wow! What a privilege for us to see these architectural drawings. You are so respectful in how you approach your custodial ownership for this important slice of history. I can imagine the joy you are getting out of this experience.
Thanks for your comment Kathy. We're thrilled that you are enjoying our journey!
So fantastic the plans and drawings of Purnon survived. So glad it's being restored. I bet the Chateau feels like it's coming alive again with all the dedicated hard work and deep pockets. It's looking great. So glad there are people like yourselves to take on such a project. I love old buildings and the history about them and those who lived in them.
Thank you for your comment. We are thrilled that people are enjoying our journey restoring this beautiful place and sharing its history with others.
What an absolute stunning building.The history just oozes out of it and is mindblowing.What else may you discover in the walls and rooms .I am stunned and in awe of it.Thank you for saving it.
Thank you! It's a special place with a wonderful story that we are thrilled to share.
So lovely that you've donated the documents to the Department archives! It's fascinating to me to see that little peek into what they've preserved so far.
Thank you! We hope that will be enjoyed and studied by many people rather than gathering dust in an attic!
Finding out the provenance of the old majestic building and estate adds a sense of completeness and purpose to the restoration/resurrection project.
Indeed. As we uncover her secrets and solve her mysteries we can't wait to share them with others. Thank you for following our journey.
While watching your exquisite sharing of Purnon's beautiful, but sometimes tragic history in the face of the revolution, I could not help but imagine what it was like for you both to discover these precious drawings of her up in the attic. I could see you both on your knees bent over the chest as you discovered them. I believe the two of you were the one's meant to find and love her. I look forward to each beautiful video that you share with the rest of us who sometimes travel and experience the world through stories such as yours. Thank you both!
Thank you for your beautiful comment. It has been a wonderful journey to slowly uncover Chateau de Purnon's many mysteries. We're thrilled that we can share her story with interested people from around the world.
How exciting to know the original architect’s name & his little bit of history.
Indeed! It's a fascinating story.
Absolutely mind-blowing 🤯
This video is a masterpiece in storytelling. I'm captivated!
Thank you! Thrilled you enjoyed it.
I know right!! The lost get found.
Enthralled by your story telling and the fascinating content, I wish the episode didn't end. Not only are you reawakening the beautiful old girl, but you are also reawakening interest in architecture, history, and design. Your kindness and generosity will be felt by so many, further securing Chateau de Purnon's place in history for generations to come. Congratulations for another significant milestone.
Thanks Dibs - thrilled you're watching our videos xxx
It must cost millions to bring these great homes back to life. I admire those that take on these great challenges.
Thanks for your message. We hope you enjoy our journey saving this wonderful place!
Amazing they were found at all. How wonderful to have such historic architectural archives! Someone was very forward thinking in the 1700s.
They are beautiful drawings and a wonderful; insight into the evolution of the chateau's design. We are thrilled that they have been so carefully and expertly restored and are now available for wider study and analysis. Thank you for your message!
🌹👏Wonderful 👏 SO hope you took photos or copies of these exquisite drawings to display in Chateau de Purnon! Thanks for sharing your amazing adventure 👏🙏👏🌹
We have wonderful versions which will be reproduced to the same dimensions on high quality paper and displayed in the chateau. Thanks for following our adventure.
So much like the original owners, you're not just hiring workers but developing a community in place for years around the chateau.
Thanks for your observation. The chateau was always part of this local community. We want to make sure that her restoration draws on the talents and craftsmanship of the local area.
The damage to the plans is spectacular! Strange to say, but it makes them more interesting, imitating trees and reflections in water; totally a force of nature, arrested at just the right time. One of my ancestors is Jacques Bourgeois, of Port Royale, Acadie. Now Annapolis Nova Scotia. His daughter married my 5 times removed, great grandfather, Pierre Sirre (Cyr), around 1768.
Thank you for your comment. Our heads are spinning at the various connections! The damage and fragility does add a certain charm.
The drawings are worth more than a single video, the drawing methods, the draftsman the colouring technique. But this is the first time I have seen this restoration, love it.
Thanks for your message. We're doing a KZhead video every week at the moment which is close to our limit with all our other work here at the chateau. We try to cover a range of discoveries as well as the restoration work itself. We've noted your suggestion and we may return to some of the archival material in the future. In the meantime, if you're not getting your 'fix' of Chateau de Purnon on our KZhead channel we do produce an exclusive Patreon video each week also for subscribers. Thanks for following our adventure!
Your approach to this project is so admirable.
Thank you! For us it's all about celebrating heritage and the incredible work of our artisans who are saving this special place. We are thrilled that we have been able to draw on the expertise of so many people to discover and present the history of Chateau de Purnon.
This is absolutely fascinating to watch. I've always admired chateaus.. and hoping one day I'll own one. 🙏🇫🇷❤️🇨🇦🌹.. this is so beautiful I think I'm going to cry.
Thank you for your message and for following our adventure. Best wishes chasing your chateau dream!
Magnificent vlog! What a treasure! Thank you for donating the original plans so they can be seen by everyone. You are doing an incredible job awakening this old lady.
Thank you! We hope they bring pleasure and inspiration to others.
If these of buildings would have been studied in my college art history classes, I would have loved it. We basically only covered certain architects and churches. They were fine but since watching this KZhead videos, I have learned so much more. We didn't look at much of the inside construction. Your video brought tears! All I can say is "Wow!" I sure hope they are making a copy that you can frame and hang in the chateau since you generously signed the plans over. Excellent!!
Thanks for your comment! Yes, we're having wonderful copies made to the original dimensions of the plans to display in the chateau.
That was very generous of you to give the original plans to the archive, but I wonder, did you keep a copy for yourselves?
Thank you! Yes, we have a digitised version which will be reproduced to the same dimensions and displayed in the Chateau.
What an incredible find ❤❤❤❤❤So pleased they were signed over for further protection and study. Can’t wait to see what other secrets get uncovered 😍😘
Thank you! We're still learning new things as the archives are investigated further.
How wonderful! Thank you for appreciating and restoring this beautiful work of art tirelessly created so long ago. ❤️🙏
Thank you! The restoration of Chateau de Purnon draws on the talents of so many amazing people. We feel blessed to work with them.
I watch several Chateau videos and Purnon is my favorite. Its so graceful and beautiful. You are doing such a good job on it
Thank you for your message. We're thrilled that you are enjoying our adventure.
The style of these drawing is incredible. Thanks and bravo for your donation. Merci.
They are works of art! Thanks for following our journey!
So exciting to see the original plans! You guys must have been so overwhelmed with pure joy finding them and then gaining the knowledge of who the original architect was! Thanks for sharing this with us all and for all the passion and hard work to the restoration. Your home will be a place to behold when completed! ❤
Thanks for your wonderful message. We were thrilled to see them restored and stare at our chateau as it was originally envisaged. We love having the many mysteries of Chateau de Purnon solved one by one. Thank you for following our journey!
WoW!!! Those roof rounded structures are absolutely extraordinarily unique! Fantastique, Bravo!
Thank you! Merci!
Wow!. That was so good to see, even neglected and damaged the drawings were able to look so good. Not forgetting the huge amount of work that the archive must have had to do to save them. And, i think, a great idea to guard them as best as is possible by donating them to the archive. Another fascinating episode, thank you.
Thanks Simon - thrilled you enjoyed it!
What a treasure to find! And how marvelous that they will now be preserved for posterity. Kudos to you for the work you are doing!
Thank you for following our journey!
…/… C’est très émouvant ! Vous êtes réellement devenus les nouveaux seigneurs de ce noble lieu … qui vous a choisi et que vous méritez. Vous qui venez de si loin et qui êtes si sensibles et bienveillants envers cette demeure historique. Bienvenue chez vous, par delà l’espace et le Temps !
Merci beaucoup pour votre merveilleux message.
Fabulous detective work to get to this momentous answer ... you must be over the moon 🎉 the plan drawings are something incredibly special and the preservation !! 🎆 ... well done, so enjoyed this 🎉
Thank you! We're thrilled that you enjoyed it.
I love this journey in which I am taking with all of you and I have to say that, "Put on" is absolutely extraordinary. I have loved the chateau right from the beginning and I am very happy to see the progress that everyone every hand that has touched her is bringing her back to life like the Phoenix from the ashes. I will continue to follow this great lady until she is fully restored and I hope for future generations that she will remain a grand lady❤ Thank you all for sharing this wonderful documentation and discovering the wonderful treasures that are still to come.
Thanks for your message and for being part of ur journey from the start. We hope you continue to enjoy our adventure!
How wonderful that you found, and have been able to have conserved, the architects renderings. They are truly a gift of history!
Thank you! We're thrilled that they are protected for future generations to admire and learn from.
Gregory has a lovely way of presenting the information - it is typical in those that have spent a long time in their field and enjoy what they do.
Thank you for your comment. He has done significant research using the chateau archives to uncover some of Purnon's wonderful history. We were thrilled to be able to share it with a wider audience.
Fantastique, on aimerait que tous les propriétaires de châteaux de France soient capables de se dessaisir de leurs archives comme vous l'avez fait, merci à vous !
Merci pour ce que vous accomplissez! Merci pour la France!
Merci beaucoup pour votre message.
Well , you went for a french chateau ! But got a true gem …an exquisite gemstone of incomprehensible quality and significance ❤❤ So much more to deal with🎉 Enjoy it fully
Thank you for your wonderful comment. We feel blessed to have found Chateau de Purnon... we hope she feels the same way!!
That roof and attic construction method was interesting.
Yes, the Philibert de l'Orme method was quite revolutionary when it was introduced. It was used at great chateaux such as Fontainebleau, the Tuileries Palace and Chenenceau. But his techniques were controversial and derided so they fell out of fashion. We are thrilled that we can see his method up close at Chateau de Purnon. Thanks for your comment.
Fantastisch dat jullie dit werk allemaal doen en deze kasteel en de architectuur voor de toekomst bewaren. 👏🏻👏🏻
Bedankt! We zijn blij dat je geniet van ons avontuur.
I hope you get copies of the plans and that you’ll frame them for display in the chateau.
Absolutely!
What an astonishing discovery; my goodness! And hats off to you for donating the drawings. That was very generous of you and - respectful to the history of the chateau. As for signing them over, I was anticipating a quill pen, a crystal dish of hand-made ink and a rocking boxwood felt blotter. Your project is a joy to watch; your respect for what you have walked into is admirable. Thank you for caring.
Thank you for your comment. Nothing so grand was at hand when the moment of truth arrived! We had to settle for a printed A4 sheet and a ballpoint pen... could have been worse... could have done it by email! Thanks for following our journey.
Yes true enough. Perhaps more equally exciting discoveries await in that ‘treasure chest’…
We hope so!
How wonderful that you could discover who the architect was! And such provenance with the blue prints and the fact that you discovered the reason the Philibert de l'Orme method was used in the construction. All just such an amazing story! Your videos are just so fascinating to watch.
Thank you! We're thrilled that interested people around the world can follow our journey.
Its so amazing these house drawings are still in existence after centuries,. I think you all saved them in the nick of time 😊
That's an important point. As the roof started to leak, the decline of the chateau really stared to accelerate. Several chests of the archives were stored in the attic. They were extremely vulnerable. We arrived at the right time to save both the archives and the chateau. Thanks for following our adventure!
@ It is fun to see all the hidden treasures you find :)))
How fabulous to find those drawings with such detail. What a clever architect to design a building of such beauty. Best wishes.
We were thrilled to uncover them. It's wonderful that they have now been restored and protected. And now to see the history that their discovery is helping to reveal! Another chapter in the story of this beautiful place. Thanks for following our adventure!
Wow!!! Amazing historical architectural details. ❤
Thank you! It's a fascinating story.
Will they provide you copies of the restored plans which can become a part of the restored chateau? And though they are not original they can still enhance the building and you may as well show them to interested guests.
Yes, we will have a high quality copy of exactly the same dimensions here at the chateau. Thank you for following our journey!
That’s so moving and incredible I could cry. Thank you for making my day.
Thank you! We're touched that you are deriving so much from our journey.
So exciting to see another mystery of the chateau history revealed
Yes, each mystery solved seems to beg a series of further questions! Thanks for following our adventure.
An amazing discovery. I loved your presentation.
Thank you - we're thrilled you enjoyed it!
I enjoy every video you release! So fascinating!
Thank you - we enjoy sharing our journey!
I love each and every video you post, but today I was quite emotional watching this... I think the fact that you've solved a mystery through the restored documents, and the research which your architect has done, is just wonderful!! What a privilege to be following your story each step of the way. I hope that one day I will be in a position to make a practical contribution to your efforts. Thank you for sharing all of this amazing journey!
Thanks for your wonderful message. We're thrilled that you're enjoying our journey!
Were the busts on the plans?
Great question. No, they are not there. But these plans and drawings differ substantially from the project the architect finally delivered - the shape of the roof, the windows, the terrace design etc. So, it's not surprising that many elements changed. Our architect used the log book kept by the original architect to uncover the mystery of the royal busts.
Fascinating! I admire your dedication and the dedication and skills of your various artisans.
Thank you! We are in awe of the skills of the craftspeople who are working to save this remarkable place.
I hope you were given photocopies of all the documents that you passed to the archives. They would be lovely framed on a wall in a corridor somewhere in the chateau for all to see once you’re completed
Yes, we have copies of everything that we passed on. We will frame high resolution reproductions and display them in the chateau. Thanks for following our adventure!
Oh my goodness I thought the same thing
Very impressive, congratulations, nice to know the architect and the original source of the shape of the roof.
Yes, great insights into the history of the design of the chateau. Thank you for following our journey!
One word, magnificent!
Thank you!
I really enjoyed this sharing of original drawings. Thank you
Thank you for following our journey!
Incredible just incredible. What an amazing thing uve done for the future.
Thank you! We're thrilled that you are following our journey!
Beautiful!!!!
Thank you! We agree!
Shame they did not do the eyes that was such a stunning look!
It's all very interesting. We admire our beautiful home every day and can't imagine her looking fundamentally different. It was strange to look at a vision for the chateau that was never realised. The plans are quite remarkable. Thanks for following our journey!
@ Yours is a wonderful and awesome story........thank you for sharing with all of us. France is an interesting country with such a rich history!
I hope you kept a reproduction of these drawings. They would look amazing framed and in the chateau.
Indeed. We have a high quality copy of the same dimensions being produced which we will display in the Chateau. Thanks for following our journey.
Fantastique histoire, la vieille dame revit dans vos bras. ❤❤❤
Merci beaucoup pour votre message!
So heart warming to watch you guys in this project. I see a little archeology and a little garage sale and a little "fixer upper." Excellent work you're doing and also very nicely presented in these video installments.👍
Thanks for following our adventure!
great episode. fascinating. do the floor plans exist?
Thank you! There are floor plans for several levels but they are very degraded.
A work of art and craftmanship beyond belief
Exactly! Thanks for following our journey.
Unimaginable history was buried within this glorious chateau. Your mission to uncover and restore as much as you possibly can has gained so much momentum since the start of this life altering project that it must feel surreal. I am in awe of it all!
Thank you! It's been an unexpected journey for us and we're thrilled that we've been able to share it with so many interested people.
Always fascinating ❤
Thank you!
What an exquisite chateau! So stunning,
Thank you! We love this wonderful place also!
So beautiful to see these incredible plans restored. They did an incredible job. I can’t imagine how delicate the edges of the paper was. I wonder how many would want to buy prints of these. I’d love one of the wide, colorful master with the stairs and moat walls. The engineering of the time is also remarkable. I’m surprised we don’t implement some of these ceiling designs today. I love the rounded beaming. As far back as it goes, it’s like seeing it for the first time. We could really learn from past architects. There has to be a way to make these beautiful methods economical.
Thanks for your comment. Yes, the restoration process for these plans was a very delicate and complicated process. We are very grateful for the expertise at the Department of Vienne that made this work possible. We're thrilled that others enjoy reflecting on traditional design and construction techniques just as we do. Regarding the question of copies being commercially available we'll give this some thought.
Merci de votre réponse en français. Oui, j'apprécie tout ce que vous faites pour redonner de La Beauté au château. C'est une Belle Histoire.
Avec plaisir. Merci pour votre message.
Absolutely fascinating! What a journey!
We're glad you are enjoying our adventure!
I am so impressed by the beauty of those drawings. They are artworks in and of themselves. And wonderful that they're being beautifully preserved by the Bibliothèque Nationale. That is such a beautiful and elegant chateau. It's no wonder you fell in love with it, and it's wonderful seeing such a treasure in good hands that are ensuring its restoration. And congratulations on finding the name of the architect, that has to be so gratifying. And now he can be credited for posterity, as he deserves with his promotion of a wonderful building technique.
Thank you for your wonderful message. Just a little clarification - the splendid drawings and plans have been restored by the archivists at the Department of Vienne. That is also where they will now be stored. The Bibliotheque national de France was instrumental in helping to uncover the name of the architect and his previous work. Thanks for following our journey!
@ Ah, thanks for the clarification, they definitely deserve full credit!
This is so cool!
Indeed! Thanks for following our journey!
Love this!!! Just amazing!!!!
Thank you!
Fascinating once again. Beautiful drawings. The music matches with the old awakening Lady: 👩🦽💃
Thank you - a beautiful comment!
@ 🤗
Always so interesting.
Thank you!
An amazing start to a restorative journey! Your family is so wonderful to come and assist with their talents. Little by little you gracefully restore a masterpiece. Thank you for sharing! ❤
As I watch this in my 2 bedroom apartment on the 5 floor with no yard or trees outside my window, I can’t help to think that atleast I have air conditioning now and running water.
We are reading your comment with rain falling outside and half our roof protected only by a temporary canopy! 'La vie au chateau!' as they say... Thank you for following our adventure!
Love your videos!
Thank you!
Cette demeure est majestueuse, que d'émotions dans vos découvertes. L'âme de cette belle bâtisse est conservé ❤
Merci beaucoup pour vos sentiments merveilleux.
You always use such beautiful music!
Thank you! We're thrilled you're enjoying our videos.
Très jolie découverte. Merci pour votre belle initiative et le don de ces dessins et documents exceptionnels, qui éclairent l'histoire et le passé de votre maison sublime mais aussi l'histoire de l'architecture française. Vous êtes des passeurs de mémoire extraordinaires.
Merci beaucoup pour votre message et pour votre intéressé a notre projet!
What an incredible story and amazing find. Did you get copies of any for the chateau?? Thank you so much for sharing.
Yes, we're having copies made to the same dimensions of the originals which we will display in the Chateau. Thank you for following our journey!
I hope you kept one drawing to place in the chateau.
Yes, we have high quality copies being made to the original dimensions which we will display in the chateau. Thanks for your comment!
So wonderful that you found those.Hope you can get copies to frame.Hi from Wisconsin USA
Thanks for your comment. Yes, we are preparing a high quality original size version for display in the chateau.
Merci de faire le reportage en français, nous sommes en France, et le château fait partie du patrimoine français.
Merci pour votre message. Nous essayons d'avoir autant de reportage en français que possible. Nous espérons que vous apprécierez notre aventure !
she is beautiful perfect place to live
Indeed - her beauty changes with the seasons. Thanks for following our journey!
Sunrise….in the morning🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉Spreading the light all around🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉Do we need to ‘ white glove’ any old manuscripts😮😮😮 it’s the acids🎉🎉🎉🎉
Did you manage to get copies of the restored documents for your own use?
We are in the process of preparing high quality copies of the same dimensions as the originals. Thanks for following our adventure!
Very much enjoy following the amazing work you are doing. Just curious if you think the ink from the Bic's pen you used to sign over the documents will last beyond 20 years or so?
Will fade for sure.... then, in the absence of any definitive legal documents, we can go and recover the plans! Thank you for following our journey!
Incredible journey this is.
Thank you - thrilled you're enjoying it!
Merci.
Avec plaisir!
I so appreciate the adventure you are taking us on. One question, I did not see the kings’ busts perched on the roof in the original drawing. Were they added later?
Good question. You're quite right -the royal busts do not appear on the drawings. There could be several explanations for this. Firstly, the plans differ markedly from the chateau as finally constructed (for example the many round windows - oculi - that were eliminated when the chateau was built). So the design changed and the busts could have been added later. A second explanation is that several of the drawings are actually plans specifically for the master stone mason. Many other features of the chateau that were not the responsibility of the stone masons were eliminated from these drawings (such as window shutters). This was done to de-clutter the plans so that each trade could see clearly what ivisual treatment that they were responsible for. The royal busts would have been done by a sculptor and not by the master stone mason. Thanks for following our journey!
OK so the architect's name was Bourgeois, what was is first name or given name?
Laurent Bourgeois. À vérifier.
Similar to your name 😉
Fantastisch! Kunnen jullie meer details laten zien van deze geweldige kapconstructie?
Bedankt! Op ons KZhead-kanaal staan verschillende video's waarin het dak en de restauratie ervan worden beschreven.