France and Castles: Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers
- by Introduction To Gothic Culture.
- Dec 4, 2015
- 2 min read
©Photographer: Infraredd
Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers is a gorgeous castle, located at the town of Les Trois-Moutiers in France. It was built during the 13th century , with a luxurious gothic aesthetic and magnificent architecture. Τhe castle is surrounded by nature. At winter, its white forest and its frozen lake looks like a floor of glass, where kings and queens could dance for centuries!
There is something magical about this castle. Its design,in combination with nature's assistance, has the very strong ability to make people's imagination get inspired and create legents and spooky stories.
History: The Barclay family, which was a famous and legendary family (even if they were not royalty), owned the place and were dwelling in the castle. The family members were lords of Loudun, a commune in the Vienne department in the Poitou-Charentes region in western France. They used to have some rich and well known companies, such as kings, queens, princesses and notorious guests, in general.
The castle was originally called Motte Bauçay (or Baussay), by the name of the family. It was conquered twice during the middle ages by the English and afterward, it was reclaimed by France. However, during the French Revolution this majestic building was desolated.
At the beginning of the 19th century, a wealthy businessman made an effort to restore the castle. But, in 1870 baron Napoleon III took the property and rebuilt the castle with a romatic style, as he wanted to make the building look like the castles in the Loire Valley.
Interior of the Castle - Unknown Photographer.
In the winter of 1932, Baron Lejeune Edgar was the one who was living there. Unfortunately, his installation of central heating caused serious damage to this monument, via the fire that broke out and destroyed almost everything inside the castle. Le Figaro newspaper mentioned that belongings like the owner's library, many antique furniture and some valuable paintings had all been lost. It is a pity, because the only parts that had been saved were the chapel, the dovecote and the outbuildings.
In 1981, a teacher named Marc Demeyer bought the Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers. His dream was to restore the castle and he hoped that it would aqcuire again its lost glory. But, he lost his faith when in 2013 a French Bank bought part of the castle’s surrounding property. Now, the place has two official owners.
Αs time went by, this amazing place with the memorable parties and the unforgettable events, which were organized there, turned into a ruined place. Now, it is reminiscent of some creepy tales, with spirits and ghosts, that are used to haunt castles and areas like this one.
Panoramic photograph of the Castle - Unknown Photographer.
© Photographer: Infraredd
This period: Slowly, nature made some plans in order to get extended inside the castle. Now, it has entirely taken some parts of the building, making it extremelly difficult for the preservationists to explore it.
Some investors and preservationists have already made an attempt to save this unique castle, but its conservation remains unsure. It is a dreadful thought that this property maybe will be completely taken by nature.
Nature's catastrophe.
© Photographer: Infraredd
© Photographer: Infraredd
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