Chateau Verdure, France

Hidden behind overgrown trees and shrouded by a tall perimeter wall, Chateau Verdure lies crumbling and decaying. Chateau Verdure was likely built in the 1930s. It now lies forgotten in an affluent French suburb, having been abandoned since the 1990s. There are several other pseudonyms for this location; Château de l’écolière, Manoir Pavlovich and Château Fientes.

The entrance hallway of Chateau Verdure is the main attraction in this place. There is an old dusty grand piano sitting in an alcove beneath a sweeping stone staircase. The piano lustre has faded and paint has chipped through years of neglect. The sun shines through the window panels of the double doors, casting a beautiful subtle light over the piano keys. The piano stands on a black and white checkered floor which compliment each other beautifully when viewed from the first-floor landing. From this vantage, the wrought iron bannister of the stairs curve around the piano.  It is likely the curved shape of the strong stone stairs that is responsible for the structural integrity of this room.

Two chairs stand alone in the middle of a bare living room of Chateau Verdure. The floor above has completely collapsed here. Apart from these chairs and the tattered curtains, there is nothing left here. On the walls of the room about remains of blue painted walls can be seen.

Beauty and Decay at Chateau Verdure

The house is in a tragic state of disrepair. The modern houses surround it are devoid of such charm. The upper floors have almost entirely collapsed. Crude scaffolding and wooden braces support the remnants of the upper floor. There have been attempts to salvage the castle but these seem to have been abandoned long ago. Chateau Verdure is likely past salvation. The only residents will be pigeons and photographers until the day it finally succumbs to time.

Chateau Verdure is an old location, but a beautifully simple one. There is elegance in the juxtaposition black piano and the black and white checkered floor.