In 2017, a crowdfunding campaign saved a historic castle from falling apart. The Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers, located in France’s Loire Valley, is not just any building—it’s a cherished gem. This beautiful and mysterious castle, which was severely damaged by a fire in the early 1900s, had deteriorated significantly. But thanks to the combined efforts of many supporters, it has been revived and given a fresh start.
The oldest parts of the Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers go back to the early 13th century when it was owned by the Bauçay family. Over the years, the castle grew and changed hands many times, including twice during the Hundred Years’ War when English forces captured it. By the 18th century, it had fallen into neglect. In the 1870s, Baron Edgard Lejeune revived it with a neo-Gothic makeover and threw lavish parties there.
However, in 1932, a devastating fire destroyed much of the chateau, sparing only the chapel and a few outbuildings. The estate changed owners again in 1963 and then in 1981, when Marc Deyemer, a former teacher, bought it, hoping to preserve its history. Despite his efforts, limited funds meant the castle slowly fell back into disrepair as nature took over.
In 2017, Dartagnans, a company focused on preserving historic buildings, launched a campaign to save the deteriorating Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers. The crowdfunding effort was a huge success, raising over €500,000 in just 40 days. This amazing achievement enabled thousands of people from around the world to become co-owners of the castle. For the past four years, volunteers have been working hard to restore and improve the castle and its grounds. This incredible project has turned into a paradise for castle enthusiasts, nature lovers, and adventurers.
As of June 2022, the château is still undergoing renovation.