Château de Montargis, Medieval royal castle in Montargis, France.
Château de Montargis is a medieval castle in France that sits on a plateau overlooking the Loing Valley. Its structure includes defensive walls, towers, and a moat from the 12th century, while later renovations added royal apartments and residential spaces.
In 1184, the castle was brought into the royal domain when King Philip II Augustus married his cousin Pierre II of Courtenay, uniting their lands. This union marked the start of royal control over the fortification.
The castle displays early Renaissance features, particularly through its grand hall built for Charles V. These architectural changes reflect the shifting tastes and needs of its royal residents.
The grounds can be explored on designated walking paths that are maintained by the local foundation. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes and watch for uneven terrain when exploring the ruins and restored walls.
During the 16th century, landscape designer Jérôme Teste created gardens on the castle grounds for Renée of France. These gardens mixed decorative plants with practical vegetable patches, showing how royal estates combined beauty with usefulness.
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