Château de Loyes, Medieval castle in Villieu-Loyes-Mollon, France.
Château de Loyes is a castle with tall roofs and flanking towers in Villieu-Loyes-Mollon surrounded by a formal French garden. The grounds include the main building, service structures, a water feature, and a stone bridge from the 1600s that connects different parts of the property.
The castle was built in 1740 by Baron Gabriel Dervieu de Villieu on a site where an earlier fortress had stood until its destruction in the 1500s. A fire in 1795 damaged the structure, leading to repairs that modified the roofs and towers, changing the original design.
The name reflects the Loyes family who held deep ties to this place over centuries. The grounds still show how aristocratic life unfolded through formal garden layouts with straight paths and symmetrical plantings that organized daily routines.
The castle opens only on specific days throughout the year, typically during heritage events. It is best to contact ahead of time to confirm when the property is accessible and what areas visitors can explore.
The gardens were laid out following principles associated with André Le Nôtre, the royal gardener of King Louis XIV, featuring lime tree avenues and water features. Though not directly designed by Le Nôtre himself, the gardens reflect the garden design fashion of that era seen in royal estates.
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