Château de Sandar, Medieval castle in Limonest, France
Château de Sandar is a castle built on rising ground above the Vallon de la Sablière, featuring a square dungeon topped with a balustrade and a round defensive tower. The building follows a T-shaped layout with four to five floors, a neo-Gothic chapel, several outbuildings, and surrounding grounds containing woods and water features.
The castle originally belonged to the Mont d'Or family in 1048 and later passed to the Beaujeu family before being acquired by Claude Poculot, a Lyon merchant and city official. During World War I, it served as a rehabilitation center for wounded soldiers while continuing its broader role in the region.
The castle became an agricultural and horticultural school in 1896 when Madame Perret gave it to the Christian Brothers community. This educational purpose has shaped how the estate is used and experienced by those who work and study there.
The grounds spread across extensive green spaces with woods and water features that allow visitors to explore on foot. The elevated location offers good views and multiple perspectives of the surrounding landscape.
During World War I, the estate served as a rehabilitation center for wounded soldiers, showing a humanitarian role alongside its agricultural mission. This dual purpose during wartime makes the site's history more remarkable than typically realized.
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