Trees grow out of the once magnificent halls, the bridge to the main entrance is overgrown with grass and bushes. Although La Mothe-Chandeniers Castle has been falling into disrepair for decades, the playful bay windows and countless chimneys show what a jewel the building, now in ruins, must have been.
Since the 13th century, not only have the owners of La Mothe-Chandeniers changed, but also the architecture. In 1870 the former castle was converted into this moated castle in the romantic style. The building’s undoing was on March 13, 1932. The owner, Baron Robert Lejeune, had just successfully installed central heating in the walls when a fire broke out. Antique paintings, a well-stocked library, centuries-old furniture – everything fell victim to the flames. After that there were a few new owners, but the gem was not restored. And has been falling apart ever since.
Donations for the castle
Until 2017, when a fundraising campaign tried to save the castle from complete disintegration. On the French “” side, through which money is raised for listed properties, people donated not only to buy the castle but also to start restoring it. The new owners receive shares that identify them as co-owners of the property.
In April 2019 the first “owners” were able to view their ruins – at least from the outside. As reported by the French media, around 25,000 people supported the castle financially, raising a total of 1.6 million euros. The restoration of the facility is now being started with the money. Therefore, the castle cannot yet be viewed from the inside. During the summer months there will also be a restaurant at the castle, according to Logan Ballois, a guide at the Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers. The palace gardens are open to the public and can be visited. through the castle, if you want to discover everything on your own, you have to pay at least five euros.
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
