Alain Poulet - Association Pic Patrimoine
An association for heritage lovers.
Pic Patrimoine is a group of passionate volunteers who are committed to to preserve and pass on a shared heritage and history. The association's flagship project is to take part in the preservation of the Château de Montferrand, now listed as a Historic Monument.
What is the aim of your work on Montferrand castle?
We're working with the local authority to protect and enhance the castle. The site is not yet open to the public for safety reasons, but we hope to be able to open part of it soon. We're clearing the undergrowth in and around the castle, which requires a great deal of commitment from our teams. Access is only possible after a strenuous walk on steep paths, carrying the equipment. A way of combining hiking and culture...
At weekends, stone-cutting workshops are organised under the guidance of Frédéric Matan, Meilleur Ouvrier de France in this field. On some Saturdays, you'll see the whole gang just outside the village of Les Matelles; the association has taken up residence in a former wine cellar and is attracting new members, from 20 to 75 years old... It's a happy, friendly place to be. This pruning work will enable us to consolidate certain walls, redo the jambs and the arch of a doorway as well as some archers*. More extensive work will follow... This will be a more complex project, involving heavier structures, and access can only be gained by helicopter, so we'll leave it to the professionals...
(*): archway: small loophole used for shooting with a bow or crossbow
A building now listed as a Historic Monument?
Yes, it's a great satisfaction. In June 2022, the Château de Montferrand was listed as a Historic Monument by order of the Prefect of the Occitanie Region. It's a well-deserved accolade, and we hope to go one step further and have it classified, which would mean even greater recognition, this time at national level.
Any other projects?
We're carrying out etymological research into the names of communes. We're interested in the heritage of the Buèges Valley, we're taking part in the European Heritage Days and a few ideas are still in the pipeline...
We're going to continue with the excavations and the enhancement of the castle. It's a great project, both for our history and for the support and conviviality it generates.
