Blog
>
The many faces of Ch...
29 November 2024
The many faces of Chillon #7 Joël
We’d like to paint a picture for you of just some of the people who bring Chillon Castle to life. We’ll be taking a slightly quirky, offbeat peek behind the scenes of the fortress on Lake Geneva.
The next person to take up the mantle is Joël, Collections Manager and Cultural Mediator at the castle.
The next person to take up the mantle is Joël, Collections Manager and Cultural Mediator at the castle.
We’d like to paint a picture for you of just some of the people who bring Chillon Castle to life. We’ll be taking a slightly quirky, offbeat peek behind the scenes of the fortress on Lake Geneva.
The next person to take up the mantle is Joël, Collections Manager and Cultural Mediator at the castle.
Joël, ready to welcome your visitors, on the bridge of Chillon Castle.
Joël, you manage our collections. What does that mean, exactly? Does that make you the castle’s head of fashion? Chillon Autumn/Winter vs Spring/Summer collection?
Well, I do manage the seasons in a certain fashion… whether it’s rain, snow, or peak sunshine. But I don’t dress people. My model is the castle itself!
I look after the castle collections, which means dressings for the rooms and windows. That can be anything from wardrobes, chests and chairs to halberds, spoons and paintings. My job is mainly to make sure every object is in the right place and doesn’t go walkabout – inventory – and to keep on top of them, look out for their wellbeing and upkeep – preventative conservation work.
That means spending a lot of time in both the castle rooms and in the reserves. It’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it!
What made you want to become a cultural mediator? Did you lose a bet, or did the careers advisor not understand your request?
I wouldn’t say I just woke up one day and suddenly decided to go into cultural mediation. It was just something that became more and more of an obvious choice for me.
I started out on archaeological sites but my passion for history ended up taking over. And working at the castle is the dream!
Joël in action during a special tour for younger children at Chillon Castle.
Have you personally experienced any total WTF moments you could share with us?
One of the most unlikely things that happened to me was in 2017… We were shooting some scenes one night to showcase the castle and I was playing a flagellant. So, I was filmed whipping my back. I had such a great time!
If you had a magic wand, what is the ONE thing you would change about Chillon?
Without a doubt, it would be to have performers act out the castle’s various eras. Living history in the rooms, courtyards and sentry walks… You wouldn’t be visiting a castle anymore; you’d be living it!
Last question: it’s the countess of Savoy showdown. Are you team Bonne of Bourbon or Bonne of Berry?
I wouldn’t dare get involved in a battle between two countesses… but I’d back Bonne of Bourbon. With a nickname like ‘The Great Lady’, she’s surely guaranteed the win!
Further reading
Interview: Evelyne and Chillon – a happy coincidence!
Her story began in 2008, after a big trip to the USA. That’s when – then new mum – Evelyne bumped into an old colleague from the Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne, who pointed her towards the castle to rival all castles… Here, she was proud to become assistant to Jean Pierre Pastori (former Director of the Chillon Castle Foundation, a position currently occupied by Marta Sofia dos Santos).
Chillon History Quiz
Chillon Castle is the most visited monument in Switzerland. You may well have visited before… but how well do you really know the castle? These questions are designed to test your skill and decide if you’re worthy of the title of lord or lady of the castle.
Take on the 10 Chillon challenges
To make the most of your trip while (re)discovering the monument, we’ve set you a (non-exhaustive) list of 10 fun challenges to complete at the castle.