Château de Balaine, French fortified castle located in Villeneuve-sur-Allier

Château de Balaine is a U-shaped château in Villeneuve-sur-Allier, built in the 18th century on the ruins of a 14th-century castle. Its two-level cour facade has a projecting pediment, and three-level corner turrets with pepper-pot roofs. A neo-Gothic chapel and a museum were added between 1885 and 1890, and the English-style park holds over 3,000 species.

A first castle was built in the 14th century but fell into ruin; it was rebuilt in the 18th century for the de Farges family to plans by the Moulins architect Evezard. In 1804 Aglaé Adanson settled here and laid out a large park. Her grandson Napoléon Doumet-Adanson reworked the château during the 19th century, and the neo-Gothic chapel and museum were built between 1885 and 1890.

The estate's name comes from Aglaé Adanson, who settled here in 1804 and laid out the large park; her grandson Napoléon Doumet-Adanson later remodelled the château. The neo-Gothic chapel and the museum building were added between 1885 and 1890. The whole domain, arboretum and its follies included, has been a protected site since 1944 and a classified monument since 1993.

The estate lies in Villeneuve-sur-Allier, in the Allier department of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. The English-style park, a protected site since 1944, holds more than 3,000 species, and the whole domain, including the arboretum with its kiosk, belvedere, Japanese bridge and chapel, has been classified as a monument historique since 25 March 1993.

Aglaé Adanson settled at Balaine in 1804 and laid out its large English-style park; her grandson Napoléon Doumet-Adanson later remodelled the château. The park now holds more than 3,000 species and has been a protected site since 1944. Its garden follies include a kiosk, a belvedere, a Japanese bridge and a chapel.