Château de la Bôve, Historic castle in Bouconville-Vauclair, France.
The Château de la Bôve displays cut stone facades with a central rotunda and dormers reflecting 18th-century architectural elements. The building contains a vestibule, circular salon, chapel, and park that received historic monument protection in 2022.
The castle was built in the 13th century over underground quarries and destroyed in 1917 during the Battle of Chemin des Dames. It was reconstructed between 1928 and 1933.
The road Chemin des Dames takes its name from regular visits paid by Louis XV's daughters to the Duchess of Narbonne-Lara, who lived in the area between 1776 and 1789. This royal connection remains part of the region's local memory and landscape identity.
The location sits in a region marked by major historical conflict, so visitors should prepare to explore layers of military and architectural history. It is best to allow time for both the exterior grounds and interior spaces to appreciate the full restoration work.
The owner Henri Rillart de Verneuil ordered the bombardment of his own castle in 1917 to drive out German occupying forces. This extreme choice became a symbol of local resistance during the war.
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