Taking Action for Heritage

Dartagnans is an innovative start-up dedicated to the preservation and promotion of castles, historic monuments, and heritage. The company began by helping owners and managers of historic sites raise funds for their projects but has since evolved into a direct operator of its own castles. Over the past five years, Dartagnans has built a vast international community committed to saving endangered castles. Its unique collective purchasing concept has brought together more than 50,000 investors and enabled the restoration of four forgotten castles. Dartagnans’ activities include castle management, restoration work, volunteer workshops, public openings, and cultural outreach programs.

Heritage in France is in danger, and nearly 4,800 sites have been identified thanks to citizen participation. The sites deemed most urgent are selected through a collaboration between the Ministry of Culture and the Fondation du patrimoine. Unfortunately, the funds collected through the “Heritage Lotto” will not be enough to protect every location. This is why everyone’s participation is necessary to save our heritage. Heritage can also represent an opportunity for local regions by boosting the local economy, fighting inequality, and creating jobs. Since its launch, the Mission du patrimoine has received 200 million euros, and 745 projects have been selected—including 420 sites where work is already underway or completed. Castles and their gardens are among the heritage masterpieces in need of protection, representing more than 20% of the sites identified as requiring emergency restoration. Saving them is essential.