Supporting the Centre des Monuments Nationaux in piloting third places within its heritage sites

The Centre des Monuments Nationaux, a public body affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, is tasked with preserving more than a hundred heritage sites in France. Societal changes have gradually led the CMN to explore new ways of managing this heritage through innovative uses and approaches. The CMN therefore commissioned Plateau Urbain to assist in piloting the creation of third places within its monuments. Feasibility
studies were conducted at four initial sites to determine a viable pilot scenario. Plateau Urbain then supported the management teams at two of the sites—Châteaudun Castle and Jossigny Castle—in their operational launch. As a result, since late 2022, around ten project leaders have set up shop in the former outbuildings of Jossigny Castle! And a call for applications has been launched to select the future occupants of the Château de Châteaudun. During the 18-month pilot phase, Plateau Urbain will assist the CMN in regularly monitoring these operations, primarily regarding the relationship with the occupying organizations.