Château de La Ferté-Milon, Medieval castle ruins in La Ferté-Milon, France.
The Château de La Ferté-Milon is an unfinished castle with a facade stretching about 100 meters above the Ourcq River valley and featuring two imposing towers. The stone carvings display scenes of the Virgin Mary's coronation and reveal the ambitious architectural plans that were never completed.
Construction began in 1398 under Louis, Duke of Orleans, but his assassination in 1407 halted the work permanently. The unfinished state reflects how political turmoil disrupted the ambitious building projects of French nobility.
The castle shows a blend of military strength and decorative artistry that marks the shift from medieval to Renaissance thinking. Walking along the facade, visitors notice the finely carved details reflecting the ambition and wealth of its original patron.
The ruins are accessible from outside year-round and can be viewed from several vantage points around the town. It is best to visit during daylight to see the stone carvings and tower details clearly.
Inside the castle ruins stand two Russian cannons from 1909 positioned to face the valley and visible from outside the walls. This unexpected military addition from a much later era is a surprising reminder of how the site was used after its original purpose.
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