Château Pontus de Tyard

In the footsteps of the Pleiades, in the castle where one of its founders was born: the philosopher and poet Pontus de Tyard.

You will participate in the restoration of the interior plasters with lime of the barn of the castle which is today a permanent scenic space. This restoration will respect the rustic appearance of the stone walls while improving the comfort and aesthetics of the space. You will discover the place, its history and its associative project.

If the castle of Bissy has not, to date, been the subject of any detailed study, it is nevertheless possible to subdivide its history into three periods: a medieval period, from the origins until around the 1500s; a second period, from the early sixteenth to the early seventeenth century, related to Pontus de Tyard; a last period from the middle of the 17th century to the present day.

The castle is made up of two large complexes: the agricultural buildings and the main building. The site also includes several towers, the bread oven, the stables and the barn, the bakery and a small dovecote. Outside this courtyard, the property has a large dovecote, a well, a garden and the manorial reserve, the garenne, comprising vines, orchards and an oak grove.

You will work in the old barn of the castle which has been converted into a space to host shows, exhibitions, conferences. Supervised by a craftsman, you will restore the interior plasters on the stage side walls. This restoration will respect the rustic appearance of these stone walls while improving comfort and aesthetics. You will be introduced to the technique of stone lime plaster seen on the most degraded parts. The finishing work will be carried out using the whitewash technique on all surfaces.

The work times will take place from Monday to Friday according to schedules set up in agreement with the trainees.

Volunteers can choose between activities such as swimming, inter-site meetings, visits (some commented) to the rich heritage of the surroundings (Romanesque churches, castles, towns and villages), meetings also with the heritage of the region (winegrowers, honey, chèvrerie …) And artisanal… making and baking bread in the castle bread oven.

A more important activity could be envisaged like an accrobranche outing or rental of roller skates or bicycles to cross the green way.

The association will make you discover the place, the history attached to it and the associative project. Meetings with active members of the association and residents of the village will be organized.