Château de Marchais, Renaissance château in Marchais, France
The Château de Marchais is a Renaissance castle featuring high roofs covered with blue slate tiles and a tower at each corner of its perimeter. A dried moat encircles the main structure, emphasizing its former defensive purpose.
Nicolas de Boussu built the castle around 1540 to welcome the king during his pilgrimages to Notre-Dame de Liesse. The structure was later expanded with defensive features during religious conflicts of the period.
The place takes its name from the Marchais family who once governed the estate. Visitors can still sense the noble past in the rooms today, especially through the furnishings and decorations inside.
The grounds are easy to explore on foot and offer a clear view of the entire architecture from the exterior. The dried moat and access paths are clearly visible, allowing visitors to understand the layout of the property with ease.
The site served as a military headquarters during World War I when German forces occupied it as their command center. Their retreat in 1918 caused significant damage to the chapel, leaving marks that remain visible today.
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