Château de Bonaventure, Royal hunting castle in Huismes, France.
Château de Bonaventure is a former royal hunting lodge where only ruins remain today, including a rounded arch doorway, a southwest tower with crenellations, and eastern brick walls. The site occupies an enclosed estate of about one hectare bordered by a small stream.
King Louis XI ordered the castle built around 1480 as a royal hunting lodge and visited it regularly during the early 1480s. The main residence and chapel were demolished in 1745, transforming the site into its current ruined state.
The chapel dedicated to Saint Bonaventure once served the local community and reflected the spiritual role of the estate. Today, visitors can sense this religious purpose through the remaining structures and their layout on the grounds.
The castle sits at the locality of Uzage, about five kilometers from Chinon, located on private grounds. Access is limited, so visitors should inquire in advance about possibilities for visiting the site.
Historical drawings document the castle's original appearance before its decline and offer insights into its former grandeur. A plan by Turgot from 1704 and a watercolor sketch from 1699 in the Gaignières collection reveal how substantial the estate once was.
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