Mirabeau, as on the first day. Selected by the Heritage mission among the 100 sites in danger, the city of Fabrègues (Hérault) and the actors of this timeless place do not hide their joy to see it regain its former vivacity.
It was high time to give it some vigor. Lost in the pine forest at the foot of the Gardiole, at the end of a small steep path, the Mas de Mirabeau, in the Hérault, barely stands out in the landscape as its stones blend in with the color of the earth. Yet it is imposing this old farmhouse. And so is the history contained within its ancient walls. “We even found the diary of a local farmer! It dates from 1917”, slips Thomas Richaud, who knows the place like the back of his hand. A social worker, he has been working there for two years, and does not hide his enthusiasm. “All of this gives meaning to this place. It is steeped in history”he says.
Two hundred years of history in all. A well of memories of agricultural practices of yesteryear. For the heritage foundation, it is “the witness of an agricultural mutation”. “Historically, there were 350 animals grazing on the estate. It was mixed farming”, explains Thomas Richaud. In other words, it is a farm combining agricultural crops and livestock. And then, the wars passed by there. Mechanization at the same time, and the Mas de Mirabeau specialized in viticulture. The exploitation crumbles little by little, the buildings with.
Today, the buildings do not look like much. Piling up of rubble, gaping cracks, walls that are hard to see. “On the second floor, there are more than 30 bats that are installed”, announces Thomas Richaud, all smiles. Under the arch that connects the two parts of the farmhouse, an Algeco. “This is our laboratory”, explains Alison Lino, the shepherdess. Resident of the place, she raises a hundred goats and sheep. “Last winter, we had an upwelling in their shelter. They had their feet in twenty centimeters of water”, she explains, still a little annoyed.
The support of the Heritage Foundation is all the more symbolic as the Mirabeau estate has a long history. A few years ago, the inhabitants of Fabrègues and the surrounding towns mobilized against a project to bury waste on site. Seven years of battle and finally a victory, the Mas de Mirabeau will remain where it is.
“The population of Fabrègues fought against this ecological disaster. For us somewhere, this support is an additional hope.”
Jacques MartinierMayor of Fabregues
Necessary, the renovation of the premises finally seems to be eagerly awaited. By acquiring the premises, the municipality of Fabrègues sees a unique potential in it. Happy with the support of the heritage foundation, Jacques Martinier, mayor of Fabrègues, details a major project. “We are going to create an agro-eco pole”he says, proud to see it come to life.
Revive the places, and turn them towards the future. This is the ambition of the actors who see in the Mas de Mirabeau a unique potential. After the renovation of two of the buildings of the farmhouse, the sheepfold and the administrative building, supported by the heritage foundation, Mirabeau will continue its transformation. Objective: to create a place of sharing, training and life. “In a few years, we will be standing here, in a restored place, more alive, where polyculture will exist again”explains Céline Le Bars, general manager of city services.
“We will return to older agricultural practices.”
Thomas RichaudSocial worker and market gardener at Mas de Mirabeau
With her hands resting on the architectural plans of the place, she lists the new installations that will come into being. Farmer’s shop, agricultural courtyard, third place, a public courtyard to organize festive events, a training space. Support from the heritage foundation should also give them new visibility. “It will help bring people here, and make them discover what is happening here. We can reproduce it, and spread it all over France”says Jacques Martinier.
While waiting for the start of the works planned for the fall, tourists will be able to come and see this timeless place, during the Heritage Days on September 17 and 18, before Mirabeau gets a makeover.
