AGA KHAN TO HELP RESCUE FRENCH CHATEAU</I> - 2005-02-13

One of France's most stunning chateaux, which houses the country's second most important art collection, is to be rescued from falling into disrepair thanks to a helping hand from its neighbour, the Aga Khan. According to Hubert Monzat, in charge of the development of Chantilly in the Aga Khan's office, the annual shortfall is between 500,000 euros (650,000 dollars) to 1.5 million euros (two million dollars) a year.

At the heart of a vast domain covering 7,800 hectares, located in one of the largest forests near Paris, stands the Great Château de Chantilly. The Château and surrounding estate have been built by the owners of Chantilly since the Middle Ages. It is one of the finest museums of historical paintings in France (after the Louvre in Paris) with a library stocked with rare and precious books and manuscripts.