Château de Bellegarde

Château de Bellegarde is a castle in central France featuring a prominent keep flanked by corner towers that rises in the old town center. The structure combines brick and stone masonry and includes later-added wings that contain a chapel and reception spaces.

The site began as a fortified dwelling in the 12th century and transformed into a Renaissance castle during the 16th century under the l'Hospital family. A major redesign came later when the duke of Antin, son of Madame de Montespan, added the wings visible today.

The name derives from its past role as a border stronghold marking the transition between different territories. Visitors can still sense how the spatial layout reflected this important frontier function.

The castle is normally open for organized visits that require advance booking and take place in groups. Visitors should plan ahead and check with local tourism information for current opening times and access conditions.

The castle holds a significant collection of around forty plaster models created by sculptor Charles Desvergnes, an artist who won the Grand Prix de Rome in 1889. This collection is a rare example of work by an internationally recognized artist who left an artistic legacy in this location.