The château remained inhabited throughout the 20th century, but the ravages of time were beginning to take their toll. In the final quarter of the century, the need for renovation work became essential to maintain this former royal residence in good condition.
From the 1990s onwards, a series of major works began, continuing uninterrupted to this day. Led by the then-owner, Elzéar de Sabran-Pontevès, and his wife, all the roofs were redone, the external joinery was replaced to restore the 17th-century mullioned windows, the château’s façades were repaired, and the walls of the rampart walk were reinforced. At the same time, the interior of the château was also restored using the château’s archives.
To finance the restoration work, the château opened its doors to the public in 1989 – though only a few rooms were accessible at the time – and also became a venue for weddings, seminars and other events. Over the years, the château has continued to be renovated, with new rooms opening to the public on a regular basis.
In 2000, the castle was awarded the Grand Prix by the magazine Point de Vue et Image du Monde.
In 2014, the owner of the property passed away suddenly; his son Louis-Elzéar, then aged 33, and his wife Caroline decided to continue with the same guiding principle: to pursue the work that had been started and open Cazeneuve to as many people as possible.
And so the work continues:
The château has regained its tower on the south-west corner. This tower, clad in 15 cm thick cut stone, actually conceals a lift and toilets (including two for people with reduced mobility). This lift provides access to the first floor of the château for people with reduced mobility. This project has received two awards from the Mérimée Foundation.
It is a contemporary architectural project that respects the integrity of the site.
The success of this project was made possible thanks to financial support from the Gironde Department, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, the European Leader Fund and over 100 private and corporate patrons.
The success of this project was made possible thanks to the financial support of the Gironde Department, the Nouvelle-Aquitaine Region, the European Leader Fund and more than 100 private and corporate sponsors.
To help visitors explore the park, information boards are being installed alongside the creation of a new map. The aim is to highlight the park’s plant diversity as well as its built and natural heritage.
New trees are being planted, taking climate change into account.
In 2024, initial masonry works will begin with the repair of cracks in the château’s courtyard, and all the joints in the outdoor paving (main courtyard, lower courtyard and terrace) will be repointed with lime.
In 2025, more than 950 m² of wall repointing is carried out in the main courtyard, on the Arc de Triomphe and on the wall of the old village; and several dozen stones are replaced during this work.
