# Whoops! 18th Century chateau razed by "renovations" crew **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 8, 2012, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoops-18th-century-chateau-razed-by-renovations-crew/643428 "2012-12-08T17:31:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2012, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoops-18th-century-chateau-razed-by-renovations-crew/643428/1 "2012-12-08T17:31:45Z")
Move that bus! [French Chateau Demolished ‘By Mistake’ During Renovation](http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/12/07/french-chateau-demolished-by-mistake-during-renovation/?hpt=hp_t3) > [@](#): > > …work crews hired to restore the local chateau Bellevue instead demolished the 18th century gem “by mistake”. Authorities in the village, nestled among picturesque vineyards some seven miles outside of Bordeaux, realized the regal manor had been unexpectedly razed in less than two days in late November. In fact, the only structure still standing is apparently one of the detached staff quarters — the building that was supposed to be leveled instead of the main house, which was undergoing renovation. > > Read more: [18th Century French Manor Leveled "By Mistake" | TIME.com](http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/12/07/french-chateau-demolished-by-mistake-during-renovation/#ixzz2ETzRALa5) StG ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoops-18th-century-chateau-razed-by-renovations-crew/643428/2 "2012-12-08T17:40:23Z")
Trying hard to resist a Polish joke. 😉 Btw does that company install light bulbs? ---
**Author:** ![casdave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c6cbf5/32.png) [@casdave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/casdave)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2012, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoops-18th-century-chateau-razed-by-renovations-crew/643428/3 "2012-12-08T20:26:27Z")
Hmm, given how lots of demolition crews work, seems remarkably fast to demolish such a structure. Demolition usually begins with the recovery of useful and valuable materials, which can range from roof slates, through to fireplace, stairways and decorative plaster work. This all takes quite a time, seems to me this process took place far too quickly for that to happen. My guess is the haste to demolish was to make sure there was no chance to interfere and prevent it happening, it was no accident. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2012, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoops-18th-century-chateau-razed-by-renovations-crew/643428/4 "2012-12-08T22:09:39Z")
Read the instructions/map twice, demolish once. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2012, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whoops-18th-century-chateau-razed-by-renovations-crew/643428/5 "2012-12-08T22:58:34Z")
> [@casdave](#): > > Hmm, given how lots of demolition crews work, seems remarkably fast to demolish such a structure. > > Demolition usually begins with the recovery of useful and valuable materials, which can range from roof slates, through to fireplace, stairways and decorative plaster work. This all takes quite a time, seems to me this process took place far too quickly for that to happen. > > My guess is the haste to demolish was to make sure there was no chance to interfere and prevent it happening, it was no accident. I was gonna say that maybe they subcontracted the demolition out to a third party, demolition-only company, and they just had a brain fart, but then I noticed this in the article… > [@](#): > > Destroying the existing structure to build a new, modern replacement would cost far less than restoring the original—and suspicious locals note the curious inquiries about the depth of the chateau’s foundations that builders made while applying for a structural modification permit. So, looks like you’re right on the spot, there…