Château de Joyeuse, Renaissance castle in Joyeuse, France
Château de Joyeuse is a Renaissance castle in the southern French town of Joyeuse, featuring a central block with a staircase turret and two side wings ending in pavilions. The property is organized around two stacked courtyards that shape its layout.
Jean de Saint-Sauveur, Viscount of Joyeuse, built this castle around 1540 to replace an earlier fortified structure at the site. It was constructed during a period when the family was strengthening its power in the region.
The castle displays an oil painting of Cardinal de Joyeuse and bronze cannons gifted for defending the town's fortifications during religious conflict. These objects reflect how the structure protected the community through periods of upheaval.
The castle now serves as the town hall and houses private apartments, so visitors cannot access the interior throughout the year. You can admire the exterior and courtyards from the street to appreciate its Renaissance architecture.
The property was sold to Cerice de Vogüé for 100,000 livres in 1788 during the partial divestment of the Duchy of Joyeuse. This sale marked a turning point in the building's ownership history amid wider changes before the Revolution.
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