Le château de Maintenon, France

Discover the Château de Maintenon: originally a medieval fortress dating back to the 13th century, it was transformed into a Renaissance masterpiece by Jean Cottereau, cherished by both King Louis XII and King François I. Later, it became the residence of Madame de Maintenon, the second wife of Louis XIV, who undertook significant renovations. Passing through the hands of the Noailles family, the castle found its lasting home with the Fondation Mansart in 1983. Geneviève de Noailles and her husband, Jean Raindre, bequeathed the estate to the Fondation, marking the beginning of a dedicated effort to preserve and restore this majestic heritage. Since then, the Fondation Mansart has proudly held ownership of the Château de Maintenon, overseeing its continued restoration.