2024-02-06 05:00:06
Abandoned for 40 years, the villa des Prés-Mignons, in Poitiers, is in poor condition. It is even covered in tags in places and overgrown with vegetation. The whole thing was walled up in 2000. The old wrought iron glass roof was even meshed to avoid accidents. Hence its nickname “witch’s house” attributed to the building abandoned by the neighborhood’s children. The villa, built in 1882, has suffered several fires and even squats. It has now been the property of the City of Poitiers since 1984 but apart from the roof which was renovated the same year to prevent water infiltration, no major work has been carried out. The 7 hectare park has become a municipal park.
The house almost housed the headquarters of the Compagnons du Devoir and then a retirement home, but no project ultimately saw the light of day. To restore the villa’s image, a collective of residents was set up, led by local craftsmen. The participatory project began with securing the building. A gardening workshop was organized in October around the villa. “As there are several of us in the construction sector, we complement each other, and with the volunteers who are not necessarily volunteers, we help each other», declares Gilles Tillet, the president of the La Villa des Prés Mignons association, and a carpenter by profession, at France Info. In total, no less than 104 volunteers mobilized to bring the abandoned villa back to life.
Only 15,000 euros available
Full of good will, they try to renovate the house with only 15,000 euros. Volunteers seek donations from patrons or businesses. Financial donations but also donations of materials. The cost of the restoration is estimated at more than 1.5 million euros. The villa will not regain its former glory straight away.
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