Château de La Haye, Medieval castle in Saint-Hilaire-des-Landes, France.
Château de La Haye is a medieval castle with elements from different periods built around a rectangular courtyard at its center. The southeast wing holds the main residence, a round tower stands prominently, and water-filled moats surround the entire structure for defense.
The castle was founded in the 13th century and took much of its current form during major renovations between 1600 and 1620. Despite these early modern transformations, medieval features from earlier times remained and are still visible in the structure.
The chapel in the northeast corner of the courtyard is dedicated to the Holy Family and shows how faith was woven into daily life on the estate. Visitors can still see the simple interior and understand how residents incorporated religious practice into their home.
The castle sits southwest of the village near the D18 road connecting Saint-Hilaire-des-Landes to Saint-Sauveur-des-Landes and is easy to locate. The water-filled moats are part of the site and can affect access, so expect uneven ground and potentially wet conditions around the perimeter.
The La Haye Saint-Hilaire family maintained ownership of the castle from its founding until 2019, creating an unusually long period of continuity for a French estate. This extended family stewardship helped preserve the castle from frequent ownership changes and drastic alterations.
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