Château de Champigny-sur-Veude, Renaissance castle ruins in Champigny-sur-Veude, France
The Château de Champigny-sur-Veude is a castle complex with three sections arranged in a U-shape, featuring two round towers topped with dome roofs and small lanterns. The outbuildings, surrounded by moats, now serve as the main residence while retaining Renaissance architectural details from its past.
The fortress was founded in 1090 by Foulques IV of Anjou and later passed through marriages to the Blô, Beauçay, and Bourbon-Vendôme families. In the 1600s, Cardinal Richelieu ordered the main building destroyed, but Pope Urban VIII intervened to protect the Sainte-Chapelle.
The Sainte-Chapelle inside the château displays stained glass windows showing the family line of Bourbon-Montpensier and scenes from Saint Louis's life. These colorful panes tell stories in images that visitors can still see and interpret today.
The grounds are surrounded by water, so wear sturdy shoes and follow marked paths for safety. Access to some areas is limited, but the outer grounds offer good views of the entire complex.
The chapel was originally scheduled for demolition along with the rest of the fortress. The papal intervention saved this exceptional building and allowed its precious stained glass windows to survive destruction.
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