Château de Villiers-le-Mahieu, Medieval castle in Villiers-le-Mahieu, France.
Château de Villiers-le-Mahieu is a castle sitting on a sprawling estate surrounded by a water-filled moat and accessed through an avenue of lime trees. The structure displays architectural layers from different periods, with a fortified core and extended wings surrounding the main buildings.
The castle was originally built in the 13th century as a fortified structure and underwent major reconstruction in 1642 under Marquis Claude d'Attilly. This renovation introduced Renaissance-inspired design that continues to define its appearance today.
French Expressionist painter Bernard Buffet lived here from 1971 to 1979, leaving behind an artistic imprint on the place. This period shaped how visitors today experience the castle and its creative heritage.
The property now operates as a hotel offering swimming pools, tennis courts, and spa facilities spread across the grounds. Visitors should know the estate is large and best explored on foot, with the moat water varying seasonally.
Guests can take boat rides on the medieval moat that still encircles the castle, connecting them directly to its past. This experience offers an unusual way to view the building and understand its relationship to water defenses.
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