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Near Fougères, the Château du Rocher Portail is deconfining itself with activities adapted to the health context

Stroll through a castle with period furniture still there, as if time had stood still: it had been more than six months since that was impossible. For this first extended weekend with historic monuments open again, the Château du Rocher Portail in Maen Roch, near Fougères, has finally reunited with families and heritage enthusiasts.

Reconnect with heritage

Among Monday visitors, this is the first indoor cultural outing since the second confinement, in mid-October. We expected that! launches Naïma. “We used to make the Loire castles often, and there, we missed not making museums”, adds Nicolas. For his part, Samuel takes the time to explain the different periods in which the furniture for the bedrooms or the billiard room were designed: “this is our first outing, _the last castle was in Combourg just on the eve of the second confinement_.”

Families took advantage of the Pentecost weekend for a first cultural outing © Radio France
Morgane Heuclin-Reffait

“We know very well that we will have a loss on the groups and the foreigners, who are not there this year, launches Madly Roussel, co-owner of the château. More _the French and the locals are present, they were really eager to find the cultural places_, so that’s nice. “ Nearly 250 visitors made the trip for Pentecost Sunday.

Routes and activities adapted to the health context

With the new sanitary rules, no more than 300 people maximum inside the castle from now on. “It never happens to us, we are lucky to have a building of 3,000 square meters, so no concern for social distancing”, rejoices Madly Roussel. Guided tours are currently canceled, so as not to create groupings, but the small reception team blows a few details to the most curious over the pieces.

On the top floor, the servants' rooms are as if frozen in time
On the top floor, the servants’ rooms are as if frozen in time © Radio France
Morgane Heuclin-Reffait

The owners of the premises have also redesigned the activities offered to interest the youngest. “We have a treasure hunt for the kids, with questions in every room, explains Manuel Roussel. _With the covid, we have developed a range of games in the gardens_, with a monkey bridge, cabins, archery. “ “It allows you to visit a castle while being serene, being able to walk also outside”, adds Madly Roussel.

In the gardens, an edible version of the Ice Palace has also replaced the tea room, which is still closed. Temporary exhibitions have also taken place in several spaces more or less unusual of the castle, like the stables. “It goes well between contemporary art, the new, and the old building”, launches the co-owner of the premises.

An exhibition took over the stables of the castle
An exhibition took over the stables of the castle © Radio France
Morgane Heuclin-Reffait

“We must evolve according to demand, the families are happy to come out, take a breath of fresh air, and with a safe visit, believes Manuel Roussel. _The lesson of last summer was the need for the great outdoors_, so we finished the landscaping and created something new outside. “ And the result is there according to him, with more and more families among the visitors.

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