Restoring the ancient moat walls of Chateau de la Preuille, preventing it from further collapsing and bringing it back to its original glory.
Update summer 2022
We will continue. Now that a part of the North wall is completed, we want to continue our funding project to continue the other side of the wall. This is twice the length, so probably twice the costs. So, we hope to do this in the near future. Besides this funding project, we will also ask for the support of the major and townhall, but also from revenues we make on local events.
Our dedicated bank account will remain for donations of this beautiful projects. We are just guardians of this castle, and the new wall will be enjoyed by many generations in the future.
A warm thank you again
Paul and Sandra
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR NEW DONORS! KEEP FOLLOWING US!
Best Team Building, Henk Journée, Familie Excelmans-Menten, Famille Huchet, revenues Christmas Carols, Romain & Mégane.
A sincere thank you to all of you, lovers of precious heritage that deserve to be maintained and kept for future generations. Your generosity will motivate and help us to restore historical parts of Chateau de la Preuille, an adventure to turn it back into its former glory.
HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT?
You can support this project :
– by making a bank transfer : IBAN (International bank account number : FR76 1470 6001 5073 9695 6263 176
Code BIC (Bank Identification Code) – Code SWIFT : AGRIFRPP847S. Las van Bennekom / Château de la Preuille au Saint Hilaire de Loulay France
– for French donors only, by sending a cheque, on the back of which you will write your e-mail address, made out to the following order “Château de la Preuille”, sent to the following address:
Château de la Preuille, Las van Bennekom, Sandra
Update 10-10-2021
Dear friends of Chateau de la Preuille,
After more than a year since we started our crowdfunding campaign, the renovation of the North part of the moat’s wall has been completed.
We are honored that you have helped us to achieve that milestone. This wall will stand for another 1000 years.
The renovation was great to watch, some days hard at times. From building dikes with our friends (about 60 sandbags stuffed with clay sand), but also removing them out of the water after the work was finished. Immediately our goldfishes returned to the part that was drained before, probably to enjoy the new wall as well.
Next activity is to put your names on the wall. Not an excuses but we have to wait until the water level rises. The wall is too high at this moment, and you don’t want to have your name on a stone under water. It will be a lot of fun doing this final touch.
But…we will also continue. Now that this part of the North wall is completed, we want to continue our funding project to continue the other side of the wall. This is twice the length, so probably twice the costs. So, we hope to do this in the near future. Besides this funding project, we will also ask for the support of the major and townhall, but also from revenues we make on local events.
Our dedicated bank account will remain for donations of this beautiful projects. We are just guardians of this castle, and the new wall will be enjoyed by many generations in the future.
Hope to see you in person at the Château, with pleasure we will show you the result in real, also to discover your name on the wall.
A warm thank you again
Paul and Sandra
Thank you very much to be part of the future of a thousand years’ history.
HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT?
You can support this project :
– by making a bank transfer : IBAN (International bank account number : FR76 1470 6001 5073 9695 6263 176
Code BIC (Bank Identification Code) – Code SWIFT : AGRIFRPP847S. Las van Bennekom / Château de la Preuille au Saint Hilaire de Loulay France
– for French donors only, by sending a cheque, on the back of which you will write your e-mail address, made out to the following order “Château de la Preuille”, sent to the following address:
Château de la Preuille, Las van Bennekom, Sandra
UPDATE 19-09-2021
Dear Friends of Chateau de la Preuille,
After a long warm summer, the start of the renovation will finally start this monday. Due to the heat, the water level of the moat lowered, but we still needed to build two dikes to drain the part where the restoration will take place. With the help of local friends, and the amazing help of contributors Dick and Marij, we filled, carried and placed bags of sand and installed a pump system. Making sure that the rest of the moat is filled with water for the fish and ducks to enjoy.
Ready to start the works!
The project will last two weeks, and we will keep you informed. We cannot wait for the end result. Each day we will make a photo, hopefully to get a beautiful time laps at the end.
Again, we thank you for your help to restore this ancient wall back to its glory.
Paul and Sandra from Château de la Preuille
UPDATE 09-07-2021
We are approaching the restauration of the moat’s wall in September. Discussing now how to build dykes to drain part of the moat (and leave the rest full with water for the fish, ducks, frogs). Also, are extremely grateful for the donations we received since the last update. We continue our crowdfunding, and donations can still be made to reach our goal to finance this project. Thank you!
UPDATE 09-06-2021
11377 euros so 4551 stones collected
HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT?
You can support this project :
– by making a bank transfer : IBAN (International bank account number : FR76 1470 6001 5073 9695 6263 176
Code BIC (Bank Identification Code) – Code SWIFT : AGRIFRPP847S. Las van Bennekom / Château de la Preuille au Saint Hilaire de Loulay France
– for French donors only, by sending a cheque, on the back of which you will write your e-mail address, made out to the following order “Château de la Preuille”, sent to the following address:
Château de la Preuille, Las van Bennekom, Sandra
UPDATE 23-03-2021
8788 euros so 3515 stones collected
On the 6th of June, Chateau de la Preuille will host a new event « Journee de Dégustation au Château ». Not only to help the local entrepreneurs, but also to pamper the local community with delicacies from this beautiful Vendee region. Only our own proceeds from the event will be dedicated for the restoration project of the moat’s wall. Until today, we have collected 9.000 euros of donations on a total budget costs of 15.000 euros. So we continue our crowdfunding until we reached our target. Every little help is more than welcome, so it is still possible to make a donation. For every donation of 25 euros or more, you will have your name engraved on a stone in the wall. We are looking forward to the works starting the 13th of September 2021 by renovation specialist Benaiteau SAS.
IBAN (International bank account number : FR76 1470 6001 5073 9695 6263 176
Code BIC (Bank Identification Code) – Code SWIFT : AGRIFRPP847S. Las van Bennekom / Château de la Preuille au Saint Hilaire de Loulay France
8788 euros & 3515 Stones collected
Thank you very much to be part of the future of a thousand years’ history.
UPDATE 27-12-2020
Big milestone, literally! After reviewing offers from various companies, we decided and signed with BENAITEAU. A specialist for restorations of heritage sites, and experienced with renovations in and around water.
Total costs is 15.606 euro, almost twice as much of what we collected in our Dartagnans Crowdfunding campaign last summer 2020.
But, as you know, Château de la Preuille is known for some adventures and risk taking. Simply speaking, this wall needs restoration a.s.a.p. So we will deal with the budget gap and continue our crowdfunding. We opened a dedicated bank account, just for this project with our partner Credit Agricole. We welcome new fans for continued contributions to reach our goal of 15.606 euro. For every donation of 25 euro (or more), we will engrave your name on a stone in the new wall. Just make sure your name is fully written in the notes of your bank wire. We are for ever grateful and humble to let the wall shine again with your help.
Timing of the works is around September 2021, when the water level is on its lowest (we have to pump the moat dry). The works will last for some weeks. Probably a unique view for our guests then, to watch and see the live renovation of a thousand year old history.
Château de la Preuille wants to once again all fans and contributors to this amazing project. We keep you updated, and hope to show the final results end of summer 2021. Finally, we wish you a magical 2021, and hope to see you soon in the new year.
IBAN (International bank account number : FR76 1470 6001 5073 9695 6263 176
Code BIC (Bank Identification Code) – Code SWIFT : AGRIFRPP847
S. Las van Bennekom / Château de la Preuille au Saint Hilaire de Loulay France
Update 16-09-2020:
This first crowdfunding project Château de la Preuille has ended, and how happy we are with all your support, donations, feedback and cheering. Exactly 100 donations, from 7 countries around the world. From the States, to Europe, to Asia…
An impressive 7663 euro has been donated in just a couple of weeks, and so we are preparing the first renovations of the wall. We had various companies who visited us during this summer, but one is clearly the expert. We need to respect the origin, the architecture, but also keep an eye on the costs.
We still have to wait the exact price per meter wall (depends on what they find), but most important is “timing”. It will save a lot of costs when the moat is empty of water, money we can better used to restore more meters. Otherwise we have to spend half of the money just draining 3000 m3 of water. This year is too late, Fall is coming, and so does the rain. That’s why we are aiming for summer next year. That gives us also a chance to run a second crowdfunding wave in a couple of months. In the meantime, we will open a separate bank account with our sponsor Credit Agricole, and put exactly the 7663 euros on this.
Via our website (https://chateau-de-la-preuille.fr/dartagnans/), and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/auchateaudelapreuille) we will keep you informed on the small steps. And with the big milestones, we will send you an email.
We are honored, and cannot thank you enough.
Paul and Sandra
13/07/2020 – 28/08/2020
Stones collected : 3065
Thank you very much to be part of the future of a thousand years’ history.
CHÂTEAU DE PREUILLE
Chateau de la Preuille dates back from the 11th century, one of the oldest in the Loire Vallee. It is located exactly on the border of Vendee and Brittany in Saint Hilaire de Loulay, Pays de Loire, France.
This old feudal castle took its present form in the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries. The wide moat defending the northern aspect of the walls and towers indicates its origins as a stronghold. In 1832, Marie-Caroline of Bourbon, Duchess of Berry, visited Château de la Preuiile to launch her coup against King Louis-Philippe in order to crown her son Henry count of Chambord, the last legitimate Bourbon. The coup failed and Marie-Caroline of Bourbon was arrested.
PROJECT’S PRESENTATION
In the 70’s Château de la Preuille was just a ruin bought by the Fradin family. They restored the main parts of the castle, mostly the ground floors. In the beginning of the 00’s, Family Ribow bought the Château and further restored the upper floors and utilities. In 2019, we bought Château de la Preuille with the intention to continue the journey of restoration. We feel just like a small but humble part of its history.
The most urgent project is the rescue of the walls of the unique moat. The South West Wall of 55 meter has already collapsed in the moat. The North West Wall of 33 meters has partly collapsed and features the bridge entrance to the Island with Pigeon tower. The North East Wall is still standing but largely overgrown by trees and roots. It is leaning over, about to fall as well.
As much as we could, we removed the dead trees and roots. However, removing too much will cause the structure to weaken. Only rebuilding the wall will ensure the moat and its walls can survive many more centuries. Doing nothing will definitely result in the disappearance of the moat.
WHO OUR WE?
We, Paul, Sandra and our four children moved to France in 2005. Enjoying the French lifestyle, but also occupied with a corporate career. That’s why we decided in 2019 to give life a new twist: selling the house, stopping work and searching for a new adventure. Not only for ourselves, but also to show our children that you can chase dreams. On a road trip passing the French Atlantic Coast, we were lucky to find Chateau de la Preuille. It immediately felt as a special place, a place with history, character and endless possibilities of restoration.
HOW TO SUPPORT THIS PROJECT?
You can support this project :
– by making an online donation by credit card on this page after registering on the Dartagnans website.
– by making a bank transfer : IBAN (International bank account number : FR76 1470 6001 5073 9695 6263 176
Code BIC (Bank Identification Code) – Code SWIFT : AGRIFRPP847S. Las van Bennekom / Château de la Preuille au Saint Hilaire de Loulay France
– for French donors only, by sending a cheque, on the back of which you will write your e-mail address, made out to the following order “Château de la Preuille”, sent to the following address:
Château de la Preuille
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR DONORS! KEEP FOLLOWING US!
A sincere thank you to all of you, lovers of precious heritage that deserve to be maintained and kept for future generations. Your generosity will motivate and help us to restore historical parts of Chateau de la Preuille, an adventure to turn it back into its former glory.
Email: Paul@Chateau-de-la-Preuille.fr
Social network links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/auchateaudelapreuille/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chateau_de_la_preuille/
Website: www.chateau-de-la-preuille.fr
THANK YOU TO our local & regional supporter
Famille Maurus
Family Vaid
Familie Mulders
Angela & Adriaan
Familie Cornelisse
Edo, Mirjam, Bart, Koen & Tim
Wim & Wanda
Famille Martin
Daphné
A. & B. Perocheau
Marij & Dick
Nozems
Les Petits Clous
Antoine Tirard
Vladimir Klimov
Gitte Peyro-Saint-Paul
Arno Voogd (Inter-France Expertises)
Alienor Cottereau
Marianne Jahangir
Peter van Velzen
Adelheid Witting
An & Piet Zwaneveld
Viviane & Jean Michel le Brière
Roos Jahangir
Akhenaton Lichterowicz
Medhi Mouillé
Leon Piek
Joris van Dijk
Claude Perol
Rosette Den Dooven
Mickaël Maunoir
Marilyn Dorinson
Lioudmila Tailleur Dontsov
Jean-Charles Coffe
Benjamin Tazet
Joris Johan Houtman
Vic & Mieke van den Brandeler
Eric de la Brosse
François Jude
Joan de Haart
Veronique Dugast
Reza, Marieke & Fay Jahangir Trafrechi-Mozes
Khaldoun Chmait
Lucie Bruguière
Youmna Nahas
Jean Paul May
Leslie van Velzen
Sven Cobben
Roxane Novak
Carole Celine Fontaine Cousyn de Bourbon Vendome
Valerie Seraphin
JMB2B
Lydia van den Corpu
Frans van den Corput
François-Xavier Gallas
Ben, Mabel, Taylor & Summer Spalding
Yara Livia Hartog van Banda
Doris Keller
Thomas Meerman
Yvette Nieboer
Sander Louvet
Antoine Frédéric Faure-Joly
Alexandre Vinçon Verhenneman
Ms Maas
Famille Olivero de Rubiana
Delphine Degand
Sophie Kernévez
Rana Jahangir
Zoé le Briere
Joetta Bond
Lisa Marrier d’Unienville
Michael Whitley
Jamie Morgan
Helen Powles
Guillaume Laîné
Victorine Tinturier
Nanko van Dijk
Joannes van Hal
Grietje Goedkoop
Yaël Sicot
Oskar Zijlstra
Folker Pieterse namens Ophelia Wilhelmina Antonia Pieterse
Junior / T.C. Brandenburg
Dick en Marij
Famille Ribow
Nathalie et Armel PRAUD
Franca de Vrind
Emma Bouyou
Yvette van Loon
Vivian Crettol
Jean-Pierre Fabre
Kim Fitzke Wright
Stefaan Rodts
Gretel Kloempken
Yannick Dedianne
Christophe Lateulere
Louis Dervé