Meurthe-et-Moselle. Heritage Foundation: the Patrons' Club was at the Moncel estate in Jarny

The Patrons' Club of the Heritage Foundation met at the Château de Moncel this Friday, June 13, in Jarny. Business leaders from across the region, along with local entrepreneurs, set up shop at the Vieux-Colombier. This was a very important moment for the town hall, which hoped to generate interest in its project to renovate the Moncel estate. To this end, Mayor Olivier Tritz and Pierre Gossot, local historian, recalled the history of "the second home of the Jarnysiens." A series of visits followed, culminating in the signing of an agreement, opening the possibility (for business representatives as well as individuals) to make tax-deductible donations securely via the Heritage Foundation's website.

Fundraising is open for the renovation of the facades, for an initial amount of €20,000. The operation will last for the entire duration of the work (at least one year). "The amount may be revised upwards during the campaign," explains Jessica Ascencao, project manager for the Jarny town hall.

"This project ticks a lot of boxes," explains Damien Vargenau, who runs the Meurthe-et-Moselle Patrons' Club and coordinates the other three. The Moncel estate is an emblematic site and is part of a participatory project with citizens. The idea for its renovation had, in fact, emerged during citizen workshops: "However, the success of fundraising depends a lot on the involvement of the project leader and the emotional connection they have with the donors." From experience, Damien Vargenau knows that "the smaller the municipality, the more 'identity-based' the projects are and the greater the mobilization." Finally, "there are very few applications in the north of Meurthe-et-Moselle, compared to the Nancy region, for example," confided Denis Schaming, regional delegate of the Heritage Foundation, earlier. "This is not normal."

This campaign, involving "a relatively modest budget", could be only a first step.

The castle is under attack from a fungus, dry rot , and its treatment represents a huge additional cost (around €350,000). "The positive side, if you can call it that, is that it would become eligible for the commission led by Stéphane Bern , dedicated to monuments in danger. You have to apply!" insists Damien Vargenau, who informs that two other projects would be competing. "That doesn't mean that Jarny will win, but it's worth trying. The Château de Bas, in Champigneulles , will have collected directly or indirectly, thanks to the Heritage Foundation, more than €400,000!"