IN PICTURES – The former mansion of writer Jean-Edern Hallier in Finistère will be renovated

The Boissière manor in Edern in Finistère will finally be renovated. Originally, this property belonged to the writer Jean-Edern Hallier (1936-1997). It was then sold in 2002 to a wealthy businessman who decided to devote 220,000 euros for the renovation. Unfortunately, the owner faces an unpleasant surprise: dry rot has completely invaded the building. The entire budget is spent on eradicating this fungus which attacks the wood.

Since then, the place has been completely abandoned for lack of investment. Bad weather damaged the building and unscrupulous Urbex enthusiasts left the interior in a pitiful state. Broken windows, stolen objects or even abandoned rubbish. And then, four years ago, Jonathan Fourreau discovered the place when he came to take a picture of it. He then decides to contact the owner. “I offered him to become the voluntary steward of the castle, to monitor the premises and to start securing it, cleaning it”, he explains. A function that he would like to see democratized across France so that places like this never again reach such a level of degradation.

Infiltration and moisture

Jonathan Fourreau is a bit of the master of the place and knows the castle like the back of his hand. Here, you have to be careful where you step. “The floor is in danger of collapsing”, warns the steward. Moreover, there are already holes in the roof, in the parquet but also mold on the beams and traces of infiltration on the walls. “There is an urgent need to put the mansion out of water and out of air”. To protect the building from bad weather, a bituminous cover will be laid on the roof and temporary windows will be installed.

“It takes about 1 million euros for a complete renovation” – Jonathan Fourreau, steward of the manor

Work should start in the next few months but the cost is very high. “It takes about 1 million euros for a complete renovation”, says Jonathan Fourreau. In an attempt to raise the necessary funds, a file will be submitted to the architects of the buildings of France. “I hope that the building will be recognized and that we will be able to receive aid”.

But there is no question of the work being spoiled by intruders. Jonathan Fourreau has equipped the manor with several surveillance cameras and an alarm. A sign at the entrance also states that the place is private property. “We don’t prohibit access, we tolerate it. People are often more respectful in these cases”, he assures. A permanence also takes place every first Sunday of the month during which visitors can walk freely on the 17 hectares of landenter the castle and discuss with the steward.