Who are we ?
For Jacques and Michel Guyot, it all started in 1979.
In Burgundy, near Auxerre, the castle of the Grande Mademoiselle, Louis XIV's cousin, was at the time in a sad state of abandonment and dilapidation. Its two hectares of roofs with holes in them had scared away all potential buyers. Without a penny in their pockets, the two brothers, aged 28 and 32, nevertheless took up the challenge. At the same time, Saint-Fargeau was publicised throughout France by the television series "Au Plaisir de Dieu" adapted from the novel by the academician Jean d'Ormesson. This was the beginning of a great adventure which 35 years later allowed Saint-Fargeau to be saved once and for all. To do this, it was first necessary to set up a holiday centre for around a hundred children in one of the five wings of the castle. Then, opening it to the public brought more than 40,000 visitors to Saint Fargeau in the first season. Finally, it is the creation of a great historical spectacle and the generous mobilization of more than 600 volunteer actors and a hundred riders from four departments. And it is often four generations who play in the show today. More than a million enthusiastic spectators have encouraged this human adventure.
In 1987, Jacques Guyot bought the Château de la Ferté Saint Aubin in Sologne. Originally from Bourges, he had known this château since childhood. It was therefore a dream come true when he took over the reins of this grand residence. The general condition is sad to see. Burned down in 1944, one of the wings of the majestic outbuildings has remained as it was. Rubble from the fire and vegetation over 60 years old invade the building. The stables are covered with corrugated iron and the framework is supported by props to prevent it from collapsing. The roofs need to be replaced over more than a hectare and the interior condition of the château requires a general restoration. A quarter of a century later, the Orangery has been rebuilt (1 million euros of work), the main courtyard redesigned, the stables rehabilitated, the roofs are almost finished but much remains to be done. The buildings built on a solid ground surrounded by moats are weakened. The terrace needs to be consolidated over more than 800 metres, the stone balustrades reconstructed and the interiors of the castle still require a lot of investment. La Ferté finances its rescue thanks to a reception hall, two charming cottages, annual events, and above all its 50,000 visitors. All pay an entrance fee knowing that they are thus offering four new slates to the roofs of the castle.
La Ferté is currently the most visited castle in Loiret!
Abandoned by its owner in the 80s, a phantom Senegalese company, Bridoire was martyred and pillaged for 22 years. Nothing was spared: chimneys, doors and woodwork stolen, windows broken, parquet floors torn out... It was carnage!
Thanks to citizen and media mobilization, the Association for the Preservation of the Château de Bridoire obtained the automatic classification of the château as a Historic Monument, then the expropriation of the owner (a first in France since the vote on the Law on the Protection of Historic Monuments… in 1913) and finally, the carrying out of emergency works. The State then launched a call for tenders with strict specifications. Restoring Bridoire and opening it to visitors are the two main clauses.
Moved by so much misfortune and to avoid the subdivision of the castle park and its surrounding countryside by a tourist complex of several hundred houses! Catherine and Jacques Guyot are candidates.
On September 13, 2011, they signed the deed of sale with the State.
After a first campaign of lightning works, on July 1, 2012, the castle opened for the first time in its history to the public. 40,000 visitors crowned the success of this first tourist season.
