Founded in 1992, the château association now has over a hundred members. Its aim is to safeguard, enhance and promote the cultural value of the château and its site, as well as to carry out all related historical and archaeological research and studies. In particular, it worked to have the site listed on the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments in 1997.
Every year, the association organizes a medieval festival on the third Saturday in July. Professional and amateur actors bring lords, ladies and gentlemen, clerics and peasants to life in the various homes on the estate. A grand banquet and dance round off the day. This convivial day is organized in association with local châteaux associations (Bouquet, Montalet). For several years now, a varied program of events has been offered in July, including storytelling, theater, French and Occitan songs, concerts, jazz and classical music.
Every year, the association welcomes visits from several classes from Salindres and Saint Ambroix secondary schools, and from local elementary school. Guided tours, lectures and hikes are also organized throughout the year. In addition, the association publishes an annual journal summarizing all the activities carried out during the season, and has set up a website. Finally, the association is a founder member of the Fédération Archéologique et Historique du Gard (FAHG) and a member of the Union Rempart en Occitanie.
Video presentation of the site at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXFTwyl3_4o&feature=youtu.be
Volunteers meet at the château every 1st Saturday of the month for a work day, and work to safeguard and restore the château and its site: clearing undergrowth, consolidating low walls, making ruins safe, minor restoration work, etc. More extensive work has also been carried out by specialist companies, with the support of the Allègre Les-Fumades town council, the DRAC and the Region, under the aegis of a Heritage Architect.
Archaeological excavations were carried out over 4 years in the early 2000s. With the help of a volunteer archaeologist from the association, we plan to resume new campaigns to enrich our knowledge of the site's history.
The Mont Bouquet area is historically known for having been home to numerous glassmaking workshops. In partnership with the Histoires et Traditions de Salindres association, an exhibition featuring the armorial bearings of glassmakers is regularly presented on the château site or in other rooms, complemented by work on medieval sigillography.
Local teachers, members of the association, organize guided, illustrated tours for schoolchildren. The association's secretary, a teacher at Salindres secondary school, has produced a history lesson on Allègre castle for his pupils.
Workcamps are regularly organized with the support of the FAIRE association, which carries out activities to promote the integration of adults in difficulty. On several occasions, Rempart workcamps have been organized in conjunction with FAIRE, and the mix of participants is always a great success.
The Board of Directors meets at least twice a year, and the Executive Committee is convened as often as necessary.
Volunteers meet on site every first Saturday of the month.
Château d'Allègre is located on a hiking trail starting from La Bégude, in the commune of Allègre-Les Fumades.
The association is a member of the Union Rempart and the Fédération d'archéologie et d'Histoire du Gard (FAHG).
The commune of Allègre-Les Fumades owns the Château and actively supports the association. The Conseil Régional d'Occitanie and the DRAJES Occitanie support volunteer workcamps.
The DRAC Occitanie and the Conseil Régional support restoration work.
The association's volunteers meet every first Saturday of the month at the château to maintain the site and prepare events. Lunch is provided by the association, and is enhanced...
Restoration of dry stone walls Pending the conclusions of the diagnostic study launched on the monument, the association's volunteers are involved in maintenance, cleaning and safety actions on the monument....
The association is pleased to welcome all the REMPART associations of Occitanie for the annual general meeting of the regional union. On the agenda are the 2024 activity and...
Discover the work of the association's volunteers Once a year, volunteers from the Château d'Allègre association welcome the public to discover their work. Visits to the site focus on the various workcamps and interventions...
