 The work lasted only eight years and called for great courage from him and his colleagues, due to the size of the undertaking, the castle's dangerous location, and the fact that no machines were used in the daring reconstruction.Pouillon also undertook the restoration of the village, which is now recognised with the award of the title of one of "Les Plus Beaux Villages de France" ("The most beautiful villages in France").The Château de Belcastel remained the private residence of Pouillon until he died in Belcastel on 24 July 1986.