Let's open the doors of Poudenas: a look back at the presentation of Stéphane Bern Mission and the European Heritage Days!

It was on September 19, 20, and 21: the Château de Poudenas, which is usually open for private events such as weddings and seminars, as well as visits on request, had the opportunity to celebrate the richness of its heritage with many stakeholders of the region.

September 19: Presentation evening of the Stéphane Bern Mission restoration project

On the occasion of the selection of the Château de Poudenas as the representative of Lot-et-Garonne and recipient of financial aid under the Stéphane Bern Mission (more information by clicking here), the owners Mr. and Mrs. de Nadaillac organized an event on Friday, September 19, 2025.

Many people from the area were invited:

• owners of castles,

• heritage architect,

• representatives of organizations for the preservation of heritage,

• elected officials,

• friends and families

During this event organized by the castle team, everyone was invited to discover the restoration project of the west facade, made possible thanks to the funding from the Heritage Mission. Find more information on the Mission Patrimoine (Heritage Mission) website.

After a warm welcome in the honor courtyard, a moment during which the guests had the opportunity to meet and chat, they were invited to join the billiard room.

The guests are welcomed in the honor courtyard.

This room, usually used during weddings as a dance floor and during seminars as a screening room, served as the setting for the project presentation. Several speakers thus presented the castle from different angles related to their involvement in the project:

• Mr. Jean de Nadaillac, the owner of the castle, told us the story of the castle and the connections woven between the families who have inherited it over the generations. Between wars and restoration projects, the preservation and enhancement of the castle is a family mission that continues today.

• Mr. Guillaume Clément, architectural conservator, presented the castle from a more architectural perspective: using the plans, sections, and other drawings of its realization as support, he captivated his audience by recounting the behind-the-scenes of a construction that was the subject of his study for several months, with a focus on the west facade, which will be the future object of restoration.

• Mr. Philippe Souleau, the territorial delegate of the Fondation du Patrimoine for the Albret region, told us the story of the castle in the context of its location: its connection to the village, to the Gélise river, the importance of its preservation, and the richness of the site, in the context of Albret's candidacy as a Pays d'Art et d'Histoire.

  
  
  

  Mr. Jean de Nadaillac, owner of the Château de Poudenas

  

  Mr. Guillaume Clément, architectural conservator

  

  Mr. Philippe Souleau, territorial delegate of the Fondation du Patrimoine
  
  

After a presentation outlining the stakes of restoring the west facade, the guests were led to the grand salon to step out onto the balcony, offering them a breathtaking view of the landscape of 'Little Tuscany' once described by Stendhal.

Then they went down the spiral staircase to the pool esplanade, and then reached the bottom of the west facade to admire for themselves the extent of the work to be done, along with explanations from the architectural conservator Guillaume Clément. 

Link to the page detailing the work on the west facade : Château de Poudenas | Fondation du patrimoine

West facade

Guillaume Clément is giving explanations to the guests.

Back to the castle, climbing up from the cellars, the guests enjoyed a pleasant moment in the salle des gardes (guards' hall) around a drink and appetizers to celebrate the acquisition of funding for the Stéphane Bern Mission!

The guests enjoying a banquet prepared by the team of Château de Poudenas.

September 20 and 21: European Heritage Days (Journées Européennes du Patrimoine)

No rest for the castle team: after opening its doors to its guests, it opened them to the general public on Saturday and Sunday, on the occasion of the 42nd edition of the European Heritage Days. This is a national-scale event, and these days allow the public to discover many buildings and places that are often only exceptionally open to the public, or museums that will then change their offerings or even their pricing for the occasion.

Heritage Days in numbers:

• 18,500 places hosting specific activities for the occasion

• 29,000 events organized all over France

• In 2025, the theme "Architectural Heritage" was chosen

The European Heritage Days at the Château de Poudenas featured:

• Free visits

• Two guided tours on Saturday, two guided tours on Sunday

• The opportunity to stroll through the park surrounding the castle

• More than a hundred visitors over the entire weekend

• Up to 50 visitors on a single tour

• Passionate owners happy to showcase a place rich in history

• Curious tourists and locals eager to step back in time in the heart of a Gascon castle.

Did you miss the European Heritage Days? No worries !

The castle remains open for visits all year round for groups of at least 10 people, at a price of €8.50 per person. To book or for more information, do not hesitate to contact us via the contact page of the website.