Château de Goutelas Restoration: Major Program to Preserve Forez Heritage

Loire Forez Agglomération launches significant renovation works on the emblematic site, starting autumn 2026 for an 18-month duration.

Generic image of a Renaissance castle facade with stone walls and ornate windows, set in a landscape of green hills.
AI

Generic image of a Renaissance castle facade with stone walls and ornate windows, set in a landscape of green hills.

Loire Forez Agglomération is launching a major restoration and maintenance program for the Château de Goutelas, located in Marcoux. The aim is to preserve this Renaissance monument from the 16th century, a designated Cultural Encounter Centre, for an estimated 18 months starting in autumn 2026.

This large-scale project aims to ensure the long-term preservation of the building while respecting techniques and materials suitable for ancient structures. The program includes complete facade refurbishment, window replacement and restoration, improved rainwater management on the site and roofs, landscaping of the main courtyard, restoration of painted decorations in the chapel, and reinforcement of certain roof structures and interior floors.
Concurrently, preventive archaeological excavations will be conducted in collaboration with the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (DRAC). The facades, roofs, and painted decorations of the chapel are listed in the Inventory of Historical Monuments.
Several local companies specializing in heritage restoration will be involved in masonry, carpentry, painted decorations, roofing, and exterior landscaping. The agglomeration also intends to raise public awareness about heritage crafts.
The construction work, set to begin in autumn 2026, has been scheduled to minimize disruption to the château's activities. The site will be exceptionally closed from November 15, 2026, to March 15, 2027.
The project represents an investment of €2.06 million excluding tax, supported by the Loire Department (€500,000), the State (DSIL, €102,000), and the DRAC (€17,000 for emergency works in 2024). A complementary subsidy request is also underway with the DRAC.
Based on information from the official source: Loire Forez Agglomération (16/10/2026)