Château de Randan, Renaissance château ruins in Randan, France.
Château de Randan is a castle ruin in central France featuring hexagonal towers and tall slate roofs set within a 100-hectare park. The grounds include a neoclassical chapel with polychrome brick walls, restored gardens, greenhouses, an orangerie, and historical kitchen facilities.
Built in 1822 by architect Pierre-François-Léonard Fontaine, the castle served as a private retreat for Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orleans. A major fire in 1925 severely damaged the structure, leaving it in its current ruined state.
The mounted animal collection of around 450 specimens once belonged to Ferdinand d'Orleans and includes creatures from nearby regions and distant lands. Visitors can see these preserved animals displayed throughout the castle rooms today.
The property opens seasonally from April through November, with guided tours available through the castle ruins, grounds, and various buildings on the estate. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended since the grounds are expansive and best explored on foot.
The grounds blend French and English landscaping styles, incorporating artificial ponds, meadows, and wooded sections across the large property. This combination of two different garden traditions creates a landscape that stands apart from typical French estates.
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