The Hôtel-Dieu de Châteaudun promised to the media antique dealer Julien Cohen

Deal (almost) concluded for the animator and junk dealer Julien Cohen! The former expert of “Case concluded” broadcast on France 2where sellers have objects appraised by specialists, will be able to acquire the former Hôtel-Dieu de Châteaudun, in Eure-et-Loir (28), according to Actu.fr. Julien Cohen’s project? Turn this building, founded in the 11th century and which served as a hospital until 1976, into a “flea market house”. A project that the businessman had in mind for the abbey church of the Madeleine, classified as a Historic Monument and located in the same town of Châteaudun. But faced with the outcry aroused among the inhabitants and the diocese, the town hall has backtracked and Julien Cohen has therefore set his sights on the former Hôtel-Dieu.

“The Maisons des brocanteurs are areas of 800 to 2000 m² made available to exhibitors in exceptional places located in the city center», as Julien Cohen indicates on his site. They have “vocation to revitalize city centers“. This is why the mayor of Châteaudun, Fabien Verdier (DVG), welcomed the project with open arms from the outset. It is also an opportunity to revive the heritage of the city of Dunes. “Julien Cohen is welcome in Châteaudun. His Maison des Brocanteurs project makes a lot of sense in our town of Châteaudun, 130 km from Paris, in a town with an exceptional heritage, its Legion of Honor, its 58 listed/registered monuments: 50th heritage town in France“, rejoices the mayor of the city withActu.fr.

A petition with 2800 signatures

A few months ago, Julien Cohen presented his project to the inhabitants, assuming his ambition to make the old Hôtel-Dieu “the most beautiful antique center in the world !”. The man recognizable by his blue glasses should acquire the former hospital for 280,000 euros, the promise of sale having just been signed. The Hôtel-Dieu which adjoins the church was able to seduce the second-hand dealer and his interest did not create controversy this time. However, many works are to be planned for the successful transformation of the old hospital. This is “Chernobyl on the ground floor, Lascaux on the first floor… not to mention a terrible smell of dead pigeons and droppings“, comments the antique dealer while admiring the exteriors of the building which deserve an effect “wow“.

” READ ALSO – In Châteaudun, the extravagant transformation project of the church causes an outcry

For Julien Cohen, this is the 4th village of second-hand goods dealers, after the two located in Péronne, in the Somme (80) and one in Avallon, in the Yonne (89). In Péronne, he took over a building that housed the Banque de France and in Avallon, he selected former slaughterhouses. Relieved of its media obligations, the flea market specialist will be able to continue to take care of its “Houses”.