Presentation

The association was founded in 2003 on the initiative of the commune of Jouars-Pontchartrain, with the support of the communes of Bazoches-sur-Guyonne and Neauphle-le-Château.

Eleven communes now belong to it (Bazoches-sur-Guyonne, Galluis, Jouars-Pontchartrain, Les Mesnuls, Le Tremblay sur Mauldre, Méré, Montfort-l'Amaury, Neauphle-le-Château, Neauphle le Vieux, Saint-Rémy-l'Honoré, Vicq).

Several local archaeological and historical associations and societies are also members: ADRACHME (Association de Recherches Archéologiques du Canton Historique de Montfort et de son Environnement), SHARY (Société Historique et Archéoologique de Rambouillet et de l'Yveline), ASDM (Association de Sauvegarde des Mesnuls), Comité de Sauvegarde de Maurepas-village, Vallée aux Chevaux and Les Amis de Maurepas. The association also has around a hundred private members.

The APSADiodurum project involves the French government (DRAC, Service Régional de l'Archéologie Ile-de-France), INRAP (Institut National de Recherches Archéologiques Préventives), the REMPART Ile-de-France group, as well as the Ecole Nationale des Chartes and the Sorbonne-Université (Paris IV), as the site is a chantier-école in archaeology.

The association's project aims to develop a heritage center for the public. The restoration of part of the buildings will enable the creation of a Center for the interpretation of the archaeological and monumental heritage of the ancient and medieval site of Ferme d'Ithe within its territory, in order to host and bring to life the archaeological collections. Since 2003, ApsaDiodurum has been leasing the "Ferme d'Ithe" (plots of land corresponding to the ruins of the farmhouse and adjacent land) under a 30-year emphyteutic lease with the owner.

Work is underway to study the architectural remains of the Cistercian farmhouse and, as part of a programmed excavation, to identify the archaeological potential preserved in the subsoil.

In addition, a first phase of restoration work, carried out in collaboration with the REMPART-Ile-de-France consortium, has begun to save the site by restoring the 18th/19th century chapel, rebuilt on the site of the Cistercian chapel.

Thanks to exhibitions, conferences, open days, European Heritage Days and archaeology days, a wider public can visit the site, follow the progress of our actions and discover its rich past.

We are working to place this site at the heart of local heritage initiatives. Today, the site is well identified and indispensable, thanks to its geographical location and its history, which firmly anchors the past of the surrounding communes (most of which are now members of the association).

It is now the focus of local and regional initiatives:

• Training young people in traditional building and restoration techniques
• Training in the analysis and interpretation of old buildings
• Introduction to archaeological techniques (from excavation to processing of artefacts) and experimental archaeology
• Promotion and mediation (school groups, events, conferences, exhibitions)