Most of the photos you see of the château in Saint-Aignan are taken, like the one above that's my blog banner, from the north, looking south. The complex looks like a disparate group of buildings — not really unified in style.
It's hard to find a distant viewpoint from which you can see the formal side of the Renaissance château (unless you have a drone-mounted camera). One place with some views is the vantage point from which I took the photos above and below.
These were taken from about 350 meters (just over a thousand feet) south of the château, on the grounds of an old convent called Les Bernardines. Unfortunately, the convent was abandoned for years and became a place where people partied illegally. One night a few years ago, it was set on fire and the interior was gutted. The wooden roof beams were destroyed and the roof collapsed.
In this last photo, you can see the oldest buildings that are on the grounds of the château. On the highest point on the property stand the ruins of the medieval fortress, dating back to about the year 1000.
I remember going with you to the Bernardines and taking photos from there. Is the building just a ruin now?
ReplyDeleteBonjour CHM, I think it is a ruin. The walls are still standing, but I don't think the roof has been replaced. At one point, there was a plan to turn it into a hotel. I can't find any information about it right now. No newspaper articles...
DeleteI believe you’ve mentioned that the family who owns the chateau still lives there. Are they ancient or younger people with children?
ReplyDeleteDating back to the year 1000. 1000!
ReplyDeleteThat is a shame about Les Bernardines. It might have been saved and put to anther use. Nice views of the chateau...I always love those Renaissance lucarnes. They're so stately!
ReplyDeleteAre you referring to the "dormers" on the grey building that is at the edge of the rightside of the photo, Diogenes? Kids do the darnest things. I agree with you about Les Bernardines.
DeleteMary in Oregon
Yep, Mary. I think that Renaissance style, like Chambord, is my favorite for chateau architecture.
DeleteDavid, you should google chateau d'O, de Meillant et de Fontaine-Henry.
DeleteThere are a few photos of the Château d'O here, and of the Château de Meillant here.
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