Château de Cambiaire, château situé à Saint-Étienne-Vallée-Française (France)
Château de Cambiaire is a castle in Saint-Étienne-Vallée-Française with thick stone walls, rounded towers, and a large square keep. The structure displays typical medieval architecture featuring a central courtyard, defensive walls, and multiple towers designed for both protection and residential use.
The castle was founded in 1366 by Bernard and Pierre de Raymond, who served as lords of the area and held judicial rights. The Raymond family retained it until the 1700s, after which it passed through marriage to the Cabiron family and took on its current name.
The castle takes its name from Jeanne de Cabiron, who married General Marquis de Cambiaire and linked the family to the region. She built a chapel and a replica of the Lourdes Grotto around 1875, transforming it into a destination for pilgrims and religious gatherings that drew visitors from nearby areas.
The castle sits on a hill above the village and is surrounded by rocky hills and thick woods, offering a quiet and cool setting. Visitors should wear proper footwear as the terrain is hilly and the grounds are best explored on foot.
The castle served as a command center for resistance fighters in 1944 and was subsequently set ablaze by soldiers, causing significant damage. New owners purchased it in 2019 and began methodical restoration work to recover its medieval character.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
