“The fire destroyed it,” let’s not let it be forgotten. »Less than a week later the fire that ravaged the castle des Réaux, an area in Soisy-sur-École (Essonne), the town hall has just launched a petition on the site mesopinions.com To “save” the building.
In a few days, more than 500 people have already signed it. All hope to obtain “the security and safeguarding of the remains of the castle, the official recognition of the site as a priority heritage to restore and the mobilization of institutions and patrons to rebuild what can still be”.
“This castle must not remain a memory of our heritage, it must be reborn from its ashes,” says Franck Lefèvre, the mayor (without label) of the town. The flames were destructive. Apart from the right tower, everything else threatens to collapse. The castle will have to be demolished. »»
A “place steeped in history”
The site is in such a state that, according to our information, the gendarmes, in charge of the survey, have not yet been able to invest in the rubble for lack of security. The origin of the fire is still unknown.
“The cause is probably human, even if it is perhaps not voluntary. Because there is no gas or electricity on the site since 2023. But it is regularly visited by squatters and amateurs of Urbex while its access is strictly prohibited, “deplores the mayor, who strengthened with his team the protection of the Estate of Réaux since the fire.
“This place steeped in history, witness to our local memory, is an integral part of the cultural heritage of Essonne since the 18th century,” explains the petition. Today, there are only smoking walls and memories threatened to disappear forever. We refuse that a page in our history is turned to make way for cold and impersonal urbanization. Our call is already bearing fruit, because Valérie Pécresse, the president (LR) of the Ile-de-France region, already called me to ensure her support. »»
The municipal team fears that this devastating fire will open the way to promoters eager to build housing. An investor had declared himself interested in the resumption of the field, a former condominium for easy seniors opened in the 1970s and fallen into disgrace because of unpaid debts. He planned to develop a luxury hotel offer, but since the fire destroyed the castle, he has not yet returned to the town hall.
