Toulouse. The Niel Palace will soon be open to the public
The Niel palace, occupied by the 11th parachute brigade in Toulouse, should soon open its doors to the public once a month. In the meantime, the call for donations launched in March 2022 by the Heritage Foundation to restore the facades of the Niel Palace, is still online.
The Niel Palace, currently occupied by the 11th Parachute Brigade in Toulouse, should soon be able to open its doors to the public once a month, as indicated by France blue. So far, this has only been possible once a year, on the occasion of Heritage Days, the next edition of which will take place on September 17 and 18.
In the meantime, thecall for donations launched in March 2022 by the Heritage Foundation to restore the facades of the Niel Palace, is still online. “Palais Niel needs you to regain its grandeur from the time of Napoleon III. Now over 150 years old, this major achievement of the Second Empire has lost its luster: the Niel Palace, the ancillary buildings (the old stables, the old cavalry picket) and the perimeter wall are damaged and clogged. , explains the foundation on its website.
The restoration project
“The project then consisted of a renovation of facades to restore all its luster to this prestigious building which contributed to the richness of Toulouse’s heritage, and more generally, of French military heritage”, then details the foundation.
The call for donations concerns an amount of 1.2 million euros. To date, Saturday September 10, she has managed to bring in just over 90,000 euros, or 7% of the expected amount. Restoration work on the facade of the Niel Palace was to begin at the end of 2022 and last until 2024.
Marshal Niel never resided at the palace
“In 1858, under the Second Empire, it was decided to organize the major military commands and to place a Marshal of France at the head of each of them. Toulouse is designated to welcome the head of the Regional Army of the South. In 1859, Marshal Niel inaugurated this command. Very quickly, the need to find him a hotel of command adequate to the prestige of his function is felt, ”says the heritage foundation.
“The Palais Niel was then integrated between 1863 and 1868 in the Saint-Étienne district of Toulouse to accommodate Marshal Niel. But promoted Minister of War in 1867, he will never reside in this building built for him and to which he left his name. »