The magnificent Domaine du Pont d'Oye has risen from the ashes. Three years ago, this jewel of the local heritage was in great danger. (Photo: Zorman Matic/Maison Moderne)

The magnificent Domaine du Pont d'Oye has risen from the ashes. Three years ago, this jewel of the local heritage was in great danger. (Photo: Zorman Matic/Maison Moderne)

Throughout the summer, Paperjam invites you to discover the most beautiful castles of Luxembourg and the Greater Region, which have resisted the ravages of time and are experiencing a new life. Three years ago, the future of the Domaine du Pont d'Oye in Habay looked bleak. Without losing its soul, it has regained all its splendour.

You must have been a bit crazy to embark on such a project. is often told this. But what would life be without a bit of madness? Originally from Neufchâteau and having lived in Arlon, this well-known figure in the town square had known the Pont d'Oye in Habay --a little less than 45 kilometres from Luxembourg City--for 40 years. Between walks in the Anlier forest, just next door, and tasting hot chocolate when the castle still hosted a famous restaurant with Thierry Neyens in the kitchen, "it was a bit of a Proust's madeleine", he admits.

Restoring and breathing life

In 2018, he was looking to buy a family home in the Ardennes via friends. They did not find the ideal forest chalet, but it came to Vincent Gouverneur's attention that the Pont d'Oye was for sale. He hesitated very briefly before completely reorienting his initial project. "My first objective was to save this local heritage. For me, it is a way of giving back to this region what it has given me", he says. But he also knows that restoring is not enough, he needs to breathe life into the site. "I drew up a mini business plan. I saw in this estate an ideal spot for weddings, company seminars and team building", with a major advantage: Pont d'Oye is a name that speaks for itself, a brand, a synonym for prestige...

He visited the premises for the first time in December 2018. He was not discouraged by the general state of the buildings and the work to be done. Negotiations could begin with the Nothomb family, owners since 1932, for the acquisition of the limited company that owns the two wings of the building, the 7-hectare park, the vast pond and its surroundings... They succeeded a few months later.

Let the estate regain its lustre

The work could begin, under the supervision of a couple of friends, Diane and Philippe, who had become his delegated project managers, although he himself carefully monitored the progress of the work. Emergencies are everywhere. His top priority was the roof, which had to be completely redone. "I then wanted to tackle the windows, more than 80 of them, and the zinc work. Then I wanted to work on the surroundings," explains Gouverneur. The premises had to be given a certain lustre and cachet fairly quickly, even if major work was to be carried out on the two buildings.

An enchanting setting for a wedding or prestigious ceremony. (Photo: Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne)

An enchanting setting for a wedding or prestigious ceremony. (Photo: Matic Zorman/Maison Moderne)

The first one, reserved for events, has been completed. In addition to some very nice rooms, it offers very beautiful and spacious meeting and function rooms, bright and modern, obviously equipped with all the necessary technology. "We were on schedule with our business plan, with several weddings booked. But then the lockdown happened," explains Gouverneur. The weddings were postponed, "except for one that took place in July". And that will remain forever the first of the "new" Pont d'Oye. A few events are planned for this year, but already 30 are on the 2022 agenda. "And commitments are being made for 2023 and 2024.”

These couples will be able to discover the other wing of the château, reserved for bedrooms and lounges, which will be completely finished in a year. The renovation will have been integral, but preserving the most beautiful elements such as a cob wall, beautiful slate masonry, a magnificent wooden staircase, while the ground floor lounges will have been little modified to preserve their soul, highlighted by beautiful historic fireplaces... "Everything else has been refurbished: electricity, sanitary facilities, ceilings and so on. There was nothing salvageable. But, yes, we wanted the castle to keep its soul, its authenticity." In total, there will be 13 rooms in this part, including several for families.

A family cottage and a large pond

A titanic project, but exemplary in terms of respect for the site and the attention to detail by "companies which come from no more than 25km away". A fine example of a well thought-out renovation of the old heritage.

Eventually, 60 people will be able to stay at the Domaine. Shortly after acquiring the château, Vincent Gouverneur had the opportunity to buy the large, modern and remarkably well-equipped gîte next door. It provides an ideal solution for parking via large terraces.

The magnificent pond, emptied, cleaned and whose banks have been reinforced, contributes the enchanting character of the Domaine du Pont d'Oye, complemented by the renowned neighbouring restaurant with which synergies will "naturally take place".

The "new" Pont d'Oye already looks good, and will be even better in a few months. And even a few years, since Vincent Gouverneur has other projects to embellish or complete his current offer. Enough to write a few more chapters in this new story.

For Gouverneur, Proust's madeleine has become the crush of a lifetime.