"The noble Aga Khan has been honored by the Institute of France and the city of Chantilly for the restoration of the Chantilly estate to its former splendor - This is a wonderful story."

This plaque, this road, are modest witnesses to a colossal work. It is the Aga Khan's mark that is inscribed everywhere in the rooms of the Château, as well as in the fine network of lines running through its grounds. Thanks to his generosity, he was able to accompany the transformation of this French cultural monument for fifteen years. Thanks to him, as a promise of eternity, this estate will be restored to all its former glory.... Mr. Xavier Darkos, Chancellor of the Institut de France, June 2023.

A new plaque details years of contributions by Mawlana Hazar Imam HH Aga Khan to the restoration of the Chantilly Domain. Photo credit: AKDN/Thomas Wibo. Submitted and compiled by MALIK MERCHANT FOUNDATION.

Just under 11 years ago, on October 16, 2012, Simergphotos, Barakah's sister site, Simergphotos, published a special photographic story about the visit of Mawlana Hazar Imam H.H. Aga Khan to the Chateau de Chantilly, for which he created a special fund - the Chantilly Domain Preservation and Development Fund - to restore the Chateau along with its park, gardens and Great Stables to its original splendor. Before the project began, Chantilly Manor suffered from a multitude of problems. With water intrusion and high humidity, exacerbated by a faulty hydraulic system that caused the water table to rise, it was clear that the problems at Chateau de Chantilly were extensive. The entire complex was listed as a World Monument in 2002. WMF provided technical expertise and advice on effective conservation and restoration techniques. An important role in the revitalization of Chantilly was played by the nearby Eglemont Estate, where the Aga Khan lived and kept his horses for many years. He called in two consulting companies and devised a 20-year plan to restore the entire estate, whose original beauty had been seriously altered by time and neglect. For this significant intervention, his Highness and his younger brother Prince Amin were recognized for their contribution to culture at a ceremony in Paris on November 9, 2010. Played below are background photos of Mawlana Hazar Imam His Highness the Aga Khan (left) and his younger brother Prince Amin after their awarding at the Ministry of Culture

From left to right: Prince Amin Aga Khan, younger brother of Prince Karim Aga Khan, Catherine Pegar, president of the domaine of Versailles, Gabrielle de Broglie, chancellor of the Institut de France, Prince Karim Aga Khan, president of the Foundation for the Preservation and Development of the Chantilly Estate, and Bernadette Chirac at the chateau on June 22, 2012 in Chantilly, France. Photo: Philippe Petit/Paris Match via Getty Images. This photo was published on Barakah's sister site Simergphotos under a license agreement with Getty Images.

Speaking at the ceremony, French Minister of Culture and Communication Frédéric Mitterrand addressed the Aga Khan on the Chantilly project: "As ardent supporters of culture, passionate about places that embody a strong cultural identity, you have saved a precious French cultural monument of which Princess of Cleves said: "among all the places under the sun, there is none that compares with it". We are talking, of course, about Chantilly. Like Le Notre, in embarking on a twenty-year plan to create gardens worthy of the estate, you have also chosen to support a huge twenty-year project across the whole complex through your foundation." The Minister also raved about Prince Amin in the following words, "I cannot fail to mention your [Prince Amin Aga Khan] work as administrator for an institution close to my heart: the World Monuments Fund (WMF), the leading private international organization dedicated to the preservation of historic monuments and sites on all five continents.

With this backstory and photos in mind, Barakah provides excerpts from a report published on the Ismaili Community website on June 2, 2023 about a special celebration held at the Great Stables Courtyard of the prestigious Chantilly to honor Mawlana Hazar Imam's contribution to the city of Chantilly (please read the full Ismaili story HERE).

REPORT & VIDEO: Institut de France and the city of Chantilly honored Mawlana Hazar Imam, H.H. Aga Khan

We are proud to inscribe the name of Prince ... spiritual leader of the Ismailis, in the history and stone of Chantilly Manor - Xavier Darkos

Prince Amin, younger brother of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, addresses guests at a special event honoring Mawlana Hazar Imam's longstanding contribution to the restoration of the Chantilly domain. Photo: AKDN/Thomas Wibo.

Under the radiant sunshine, distinguished guests gathered in the courtyard of the Great Stables of the prestigious Chantilly Estate for a special celebration - a tribute to Mawlana Hazar Imam by the Institut de France and the City of Chantilly. Mawlana Hazar Imam was represented by Prince Amin at the unveiling of the plaque on the Grand Stables and His Highness the Aga Khan Road sign. Also present were Princess Zahra, Prince Hussain, Prince Ali Muhammad and Hazar Imam's grandson Iliyan. Prince Amin gave a speech including words of thanks from Mawlana Hazar Imam. Eric Werth, MP for Oaza, recalled the many discussions that led to the realization of this ambitious venture: "The Foundation was born on paper and in the minds of the Institut de France and Prince Karim Aga Khan .... There was this extraordinary support for the cultural life of Chantilly, the cultural life of the estate and the idea that we should also promote the estate a little bit more and make it a little bit better known. It's a beautiful, beautiful story." (From left to right): Iliyan Boyden, Eric Werth, Isabelle Wojtowitz, Prince Hussein, Prince Ali Muhammad, Prince Amin, Xavier Darkos, Princess Zahra and Florence Werth are photographed with the plaque. Photo: AKDN/Thomas Wibaud. Photo: AKDN/Thomas Wibaud.

This collective project, mobilizing the city of Chantilly, the department, the region, the State and the Institut de France, was able to benefit from the expertise of the Aga Khan Khan Khan Development Network, particularly in the field of culture, as Prince Amin explained in his speech, "Building on the experience gained by the Aga Khan Foundation for Cultural Preservation in the conservation, museology and management of numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, the aim was to preserve and restore the grandeur and splendor of the entire Chantilly estate, putting innovation at the heart of a thorough, effective

Historical information board located at the Museum of the Living Horse in Chantilly to honor the longstanding contributions of Mawlana Hazar Imam H.H. Aga Khan to the Institut de France. Photo: AKDN/Thomas Wibaud.

The result is tangible, and its impact is long-lasting, as demonstrated by the touching message from Mr. Xavier Darkos, Chancellor of the Institute of France: "This board, this road, are humble witnesses to a colossal effort. The Aga Khan's mark is present everywhere in the rooms of the Château, as well as in the delicate network of lines running across its grounds. You know that thanks to his generosity, he has been able to accompany the transformation of this French cultural monument for fifteen years. Because of him, as a promise of eternity, this estate will be restored to all its former glory."

“We are proud to inscribe the name of the Prince... the spiritual leader of the Ismailis, into the history and stone of the Chantilly estate.” He asked Prince Amin to “accept our immeasurable gratitude... the immeasurable gratitude that we all owe [His Highness] for Chantilly, the unwavering gratitude that he has brought to our heritage and, I would say, the gratitude of the entire nation.”

Sign for Route Son Altesse l'Aga Khan (Road of His Highness the Aga Khan) in Chantilly. Photo: AKDN/Thomas Wibaux.