Château de Bénéhard, Renaissance castle in Chahaignes, France.
Château de Bénéhard is a Renaissance castle in Chahaignes that sits on a hilltop overlooking the Veuve Valley. The building has a large gateway with a cat flap entrance and steep slate roofs that define its appearance.
The current building was constructed between 1518 and 1560 by Jacques II de Maillé-Bénéhart and replaced a fortress that defended the valley during the Hundred Years War. The rebuilding marked a shift from medieval defensive architecture to Renaissance elegance.
The castle keeps architectural features from the 16th and 17th centuries with decorative details similar to those in Loire Valley estates. The stonework and window shapes show the Renaissance style common in this region.
The castle sits on departmental road 64 heading toward Saint-Pierre-du-Lorouër and has been protected as a historical monument since 1987. Visitors should check with local information offices about access conditions and what to expect when viewing the property.
The terraced gardens date from the 18th century and contain a reflecting pool along with a bread oven and wine press from the 15th century. These outbuildings show how the estate once functioned as a self-sufficient property with production and storage facilities.
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