A conference organized by the Friends of Château de Pau, as part of the "Projects and Wonders" exhibition, with Christian Bouché, Heritage Architect.
Today, there is a broad consensus that heritage is a common good that transcends property rights. But it was not until the second third of the 19th century that a doctrine was formulated, and the means attached to it, without which it would have remained futile.
The Château de Pau stands at the crossroads of this broad movement. It is both a historic monument, a venerable figure that the nation has a duty to protect and safeguard.
At the same time, it is a Bourbon family property - later appropriated as such by Louis Napoleon - and subject to the demands and contingencies of a sovereign residence. This led to early attention and sometimes uninhibited intervention.
Today, there is a broad consensus that heritage is a common good that transcends property rights. But it was not until the second third of the 19th century that a doctrine was formulated, and the means attached to it, without which it would have remained futile.
The Château de Pau stands at the crossroads of this broad movement. It is both a historic monument, a venerable figure that the nation has a duty to protect and safeguard.
At the same time, it is a Bourbon family property - later appropriated as such by Louis Napoleon - and subject to the demands and contingencies of a sovereign residence. This led to early attention and sometimes uninhibited intervention.
