ABOUT THE PROJECT
Once upon a time a thirteenth century fortress, a fifteenth century castle, and then an eighteenth century palatial château, Château de Gudanes still stands proudly in the south of France in the small, croissant-shaped village of Chateau-Verdun.
Château de Gudanes was designed by royal, French architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel, who was the principal architect of King Louis XV at the Palace of Versailles and who worked closely with Queen Marie Antoinette to design and build her personal estate, the Petit Trianon. It is for the reason of this esteemed connection that Château de Gudanes shares the same most highly regarded, historical classification as the Palace of Versailles and the Eiffel Tower, as a Class I Historic Monument.
In 2013, Château de Gudanes was purchased by an Australian family who have taken on the responsibility to awaken this sleeping beauty after years of neglect.
Since then, they have embarked on a grand and extensive restoration of the property and its gardens. And upon hearing the journey, this labour of love has graciously been felt far and wide…
The family were awarded a Medal of Honour from the Prince Louis de Polignac Foundation to celebrate the restoration so far, which was presented by Prince Albert II of Monaco in Paris at the Institute of France.
“When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let is not be for present delight nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants will thank us for; and let us think, as we lay stone on stone, that a time is to come when those stones will be held sacred because our hands have touched them, and that men will say, as they look upon the labor and wrought substance of them, “See! This our father did for us.””
CREATING A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE
The restoration journey of Château de Gudanes continues in 2024.
Although not yet restored in its entirety, the beauty held in the Château’s patina and age is felt and appreciated.
The Château has been host to photoshoots for world-wide luxury clientele including Zimmermann, Rosemary Hallgarten and Cire Trudon, as well as more à la mode and sustainable brands including Sézane and Dôen, bridal labels such as Luce Sposa, and household names including Soma and Mango.
Although the restoration is mostly privately funded, all proceeds from photoshoots directly and fully assist in helping to financially support the continued restoration.
And so, ensuring and building a financially sustainable future in the belief and faith that the legacy of the Château should continue for just as many years as it has already stood.
As a family, the Waters believe that to secure the future of the property it is necessary that it becomes financially self sustainable so that it is not reliant on the financial contribution of a particular individual or family and can continue to be maintained, grow and evolve even in the absence of this.
The Château has lived many lifetimes and lovingly been a place to call home for centuries of families. The Waters family believe that they are just one part of the Château’s story and that the greatest way to contribute to the estate’s legacy is to help safeguard the Château’s future in this way.
philosophy of restoration
The philosophy of restoration of the Château began with the intention to have created something that is both respectful and sympathetic to not only the Château herself, but also the region of France that she finds herself in. A mission to tread lightly and gently - to preserve the atmosphere, authenticity and integrity of the Château in each and every part of the restoration.
Sharing a story that is connected and authentic by incorporating the entire history of the Château, not just her most prestigious decades. The Château has been renovated but her patina and age is not erased, and instead has become just another part of her history.
The heart of the philosophy is that in its true and most distilled essence the Château is a keeper of memories. And so, the restoration should be about passing on and sharing these memories and the past itself. It is about communicating history through feelings rather that words or things.
The Château has not become a museum piece. Instead, the restoration thus far hopes to share the history in a way that engages with the magic and multi-vocality of the imagination. The restoration merely sets the scene to help you along a journey within your own imagination, encouraging you to picture your own version of the past and what life was once like at the Château.
What secrets lie within the grand halls and walls of the estate…?
mERCI BEAUCOUP
As the journey progresses we sincerely hope that the restoration will develop into something that generations can be proud of and that gives justice to the Château, its history and legacy.
And so, this website we have created shares the story of the past, present and future of Château de Gudanes.
The Waters Family would like to thank you for reading this page and for supporting and being part of the journey of the restoration of the Château. They feel truly grateful to be part of the Château’s history and sincerely hope that with gentle stewardship they are able to make a positive contribution to the future of Château de Gudanes.
“This fairytale is only just beginning!”
