Château de Montesson, Medieval castle in Bais, France.
Château de Montesson is a medieval castle featuring a square central pavilion flanked by round turrets and surrounded by moats. The structure retains original architectural details from its period of construction, showing how it was designed for both residence and defense.
King Henri III granted permission in 1586 for the castle to be fortified, resulting in the addition of moats and a tower-flanked enclosure. These defensive enhancements shaped the structure visible today.
This castle reflects the architectural style of the Loire Valley region and represents how landowners built defensive homes in this area. Visitors can observe the structure during European Heritage Days and see how such fortified residences shaped the local landscape.
The castle stands about 800 meters (half a mile) west of Bais town center and remains visible from the main road. Visitors can view the exterior during European Heritage Days or observe it from nearby roads at other times.
A 1778 property assessment valued the manor house itself much lower than the adjacent working farm on the same estate. This unusual valuation reveals how the agricultural productivity mattered far more than the residence for the property's overall worth.
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