Heritage in Médoc: A wine sale at Château Loudenne to restore the Saint-Pierre church in Gaillan

More than 11,000 euros were raised through a charity auction organized by the Gaillan Church Conservation Association. Château Loudenne opened its doors for the event. Many estates also donated bottles.

A large room at Château Loudenne, usually dedicated to wine tastings, hosted a rather unusual event. A charity auction was held to benefit the Saint-Pierre church in Gaillan-en-Médoc. The operation, which took place on Saturday, April 26, was supported by the association for the preservation of the church. It raised more than 11,000 euros. A precious sum that contributes to the preservation of this monument, a local heritage site.

The sale was initiated by Maryse Calbet, president of the association. "We had the idea of ​​organizing a wine auction to finance the restoration of the murals in the two side chapels. They were damaged by water infiltration, and the roof will be redone by the municipality at the end of 2025. We wanted to move forward with the rest at the same time," she explains.

While the structural work (roofing) is the responsibility of the municipality, the association has been working since 1993 to save the building's furnishings and religious art. "We restored the Stations of the Cross, the stained-glass windows, and several paintings. Now we're tackling the frescoes, and then we'll have to treat the wooden statues for insects. It's a never-ending job!" confides the president. Gaillan's church is anything but ordinary. Its 12th ^- century Romanesque bell tower, listed as a historic monument, is unique in Gironde "with its Auvergne style." It was preserved during the reconstruction of the nave in the 19th century, carried out in the neo-Romanesque style to preserve the architectural harmony.

"The bell tower is even offset from the body of the church. It serves as a sacristy. This offset, this history, tells something about our region. The church is more than a place of worship; it's a witness to our past," insists Maryse Calbet. She continues: "By taking care of these stones, we preserve our roots. Cut the roots of a vine and it stops growing. It's the same for us." For this charity sale, the association was able to count on the generosity of numerous Médoc estates, from small châteaux to grand cru classés. More than 230 lots, representing more than 400 bottles, were auctioned.

Château Loudenne, owned by Sophie and Christophe Gouache, immediately agreed to host the event. "They lent us the premises, helped with communication, stored the wines, and donated the wines served at the final cocktail," explains the president. A bottle from the estate was also offered for sale. "We know Maryse Calbet well," says Sophie Gouache. "When she approached us, we immediately said yes. Local heritage is also what makes our wine region so rich." The sale took place in the château's large tasting room, which had been refurbished for the occasion. Around fifty people attended, while others bid remotely via the Drouot and Interenchère platforms.

Another valuable source of support made the event possible was Emmanuel Layan, an auctioneer in Bordeaux. "He hosted the sale free of charge. No fees were charged. Everyone contributed voluntarily. It was a true chain of solidarity," emphasize Sophie Gouache and Maryse Calbet. With more than €11,000 raised, the association can confidently consider some of the upcoming restoration work. And above all, "it serves as a reminder that rural churches, beyond their religious vocation, are collective landmarks, steeped in memory and identity."