The Château du Guildo project

The development of the Château du Guildo was designed following the program of archaeological excavations which took place between 1994 and 2013 on the site, under the aegis of the regional archeology service (DRAC Bretagne) and entrusted to Inrap (National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research). The historical and natural interest of the area and the quality of the remains make this place an important element of the departmental heritage. The Château du Guildo conservation and development project has three main directions:

• Adopt a minimally interventionist bias, with the aim of preserving the site and its “ruins” character
• Restore a clear and understandable reading of the building
• Welcoming all audiences and promoting accessibility

Validated in 2016 by the departmental assembly, this project is part of a political desire to “place departmental properties at the heart of the cultural issues of the territory”. The Department wishes to include the site in a global promotion strategy for “departmental areas”. The Château du Guildo is one of the six departmental heritage properties of the Côtes d'Armor, alongside the châteaux of Roche-Jagu and Hunaudaye, the abbeys of Beauport and Bon Repos & the Villa Rohannec'h.

• 2015: The Department orders a building health diagnosis from Christophe Amiot, chief architect of Historic Monuments.
• 2016: The results of this diagnosis are presented to the departmental assembly which votes for a budget of 2.7 million euros to carry out the project.
• 2017: The Department launches a consultation to select a project manager responsible for continuing the project to secure, conserve and enhance the castle.
• 2017-2018: A first phase of work is carried out by Christophe Amiot and concerns the entrance gate, the east dwelling, the polygonal tower and the north-east tower.
• 2019-2021: A second, more substantial phase of work is carried out by Eugène heritage architects. It completes and finalizes the recovery of all the masonry.

The restoration of the remains of the Château du Guildo is a project that is part of its time. Monuments are no longer treated as in the 19th century. Today, such a project is carried out using verified elements, according to the analyzes of archaeologists and under the watchful eye of a heritage architect. There is no more room for interpretation. The reference period is the 15th century because it is estimated that it is during this period that the castle is in its most complete state.

However, it is important to give a clear and understandable reading to the building. The choice of contemporary elements is designed to facilitate the distinction between what has been reconstructed and what was already present originally. It is for this reason that the leveled interior walls were raised by 50 cm. The difference in stone indicates that these parts are not original. Contemporary design elements are made of fiber-reinforced concrete. They are there for safety and to promote accessibility. These additions also make it possible to find missing circulation patterns and offer new viewing angles.

The restoration project was designed to fit within the framework of sustainable development. It must reconcile management respecting natural constraints while setting up a system to welcome the public. Security and mediation measures therefore ensure that they blend in with the architecture and the natural environment. For example, the remains of the castle are home to many species of bats that have taken up residence there. The choice of restoration was therefore to preserve certain cracks in the building and not to install permanent lighting. The goal is to preserve the habitat and tranquility of bats. Limiting certain types of development on a site also means increasing the tranquility of its biodiversity.

The landscape project is also oriented towards promoting the 15th century period. The idea is to favor native plants in favor of naturalized plants. There are ultimately few of these on the site. For example, in 2016 development work was carried out, invasive poplars were cut down to be replaced by oaks, more in keeping with the original environment of the site. Reasonable management of meadows and pastures is also planned.

Artistic and cultural education and environmental education find favorable conditions on the Guildo site. Projects are therefore being developed, in partnership with local stakeholders, in order to offer school audiences different approaches to heritage, in its broadest possible sense.

Mediation tools and supports are available for download, for guided or independent discovery, in the Schools and People with Disabilities tabs.

Consult and download the documents related to the valuation of Château du Guildo.