Château de Châtigny occupies a commanding hillside position in Fondettes overlooking the Loire Valley, built in 1487 upon the remarkably preserved foundations of a Gallo-Roman villa from the 3rd century that rise over four metres in height. The castle's architecture features two wings at right angles cantoned with distinctive round towers and a curtain wall extending from the east wing to enclose the courtyard to the north. Archaeological investigation in the late 19th century by Charles de Beaumont revealed extensive Gallo-Roman vestiges beneath the medieval fortress, creating a layered historical palimpsest spanning nearly 1,500 years. Classified as a historical monument since 2006 and presently housing a School of Teaching and Education, the château's gardens and landscaped parks enhance its setting as a significant witness to both ancient Roman settlement and medieval French noble architecture.
