Château de Courcelles-le-Roi

The Château de Courcelles-le-Roi is a castle in central France that combines elements from different periods, featuring a southwestern watchtower and a broad terrace where a western tower once stood. The layout includes four outbuildings and numerous rooms spread across spacious grounds.

The castle was built in the 12th century, later destroyed by English forces, and underwent major reconstruction in the 15th century. It hosted significant royal visitors during its history, confirming its status as an important estate.

The castle's name references royalty and shows how a medieval fortress gradually transformed into a manor house from the 16th century onward. Visitors can still see this evolution today in the mix of thick defensive walls and later elegant rooms.

The grounds are walkable for exploration and offer different rooms that convey varying impressions depending on the season. It is wise to plan ample time to fully explore both the main building and the outbuildings.

The castle's historical moats remain partially visible even though they were partly filled in during the 20th century. These remnants show how seriously medieval defense was taken and are often not immediately obvious to visitors.