The castle was originally built in the 15th century, and remained in good condition until the war. Now, however, it's a crumbling ruin – but a crowdfunding campaign might change all that.
The Chateau was (accoring to a French report) burnt to the ground by the SS 2nd panzer division – the infamous 'Das Reich' – who were retreating in 1944 following the D-Day landings.
For many years it lay in ruins, owned by a French doctor named Jean Lassner who was a pioneer of anaesthesia. It's history through those years is spotty: it was featured in a French film of 1968 called Le Tatoué, and the body of a drug dealer from Bordeaux was apparently discovered at the bottom of one of the castle's wells in 1980.
Following Dr Lassner's death in 2007 it was sold on again – but with the present owners seemingly short of funds to repair it, and the authorities beginning to make threatening noises, a crowdfunding campaign has been set up.
The aim is to raise €500,000 to save La Paluel, half of which will go to buying the castle, the other half of which will pay for repairs.
And if you'd like to get involved, pledges of €50 (that's about £46) are being solicited in return for part ownership – one 10,000th – of the castle, on the understanding that you will not pay a single cent unless the funding target is reached. At the time of writing the organisers are about a third of the way to their target, with a few weeks left to go.
As romantic as the idea sounds, however, we'd urge caution. Frankly, looking at the state of the place, that €250,000 repair budget could be swallowed up on scaffolding alone.
Still, we suppose you'd probably have the right to camp in the ruins or its grounds, and that would be fun anyway (so long as the other 9,999 stakeholders didn't all turn up on the same weekend). If you want to find more, then the 'Adopte un chateau' page (in French) with all the details is here. Bonne chance!
Top 10 places to buy property in France
Variety is the spice of life in France, with its cornucopia of landscapes and lifestyles open to property buyers.
Château de Lassay: The castle of Bluebeard’s widow
This magnificent French castle has a remarkably colourful history, as Desmond Seward explains.
Credit: Picture: Bureau National Interprofessionnel de l'Armagnac
Armagnac: The beautiful, high-class brandy steeped in history and tradition
-
The real Bear Grylls: Country Life Quiz of the Day, July 2, 2025Britain's longest pier is among the highlights of Wednesday's Quiz of the Day.
-
What do 19th century rowers, Queen Victoria and Giorgio Armani all have in common? They helped to popularise the world's most versatile jacket — the blazerEveryone from royalty to rappers seems to have one in their wardrobe. Harry Pearson lists the merits of the blazer, a true sartorial team player.
-
Where Venice once ruled: The roving Venetians left handsome imprints across the Greek world, from its religion to its rambling villasMatthew Dennison explores the lingering traces of Venice's vanished empire — and the best places to buy where it once stood.
-
A delightful 16th century home with some of Kent's most beautiful gardens has come on to the marketThe Grange puts the 'garden' into the Garden of England.
-
A pristine Scottish island for sale at the price of a garage in FulhamA dot on the map of the west coast of Scotland has come on to the market, where you'll be surrounded by sea, living off grid and be neighbours with the local seal colony.
-
18 beautiful homes, from charming cottages to a Highland mansion with unbeatable views, as seen in Country LifeOur look at some of the best homes to come to the market via Country Life in the past week includes Georgian manor houses, charming commutable homes and the grandest home in Newcastle.
-
The gorgeous Somerset home of the designer behind one of Glastonbury's chicest spotsThe Manor in Hinton Blewitt is a glorious Georgian home that ticks every box.
-
A 600-year-old National Trust property that you can call homeThis blooming property in Kent showcases the original garden of England. Penny Churchill takes a look.
-
A wisteria-clad delight with lawns running down to the Thames at the prettiest riverside home for sale in London todayDeodar Road, near Putney High Street, offers unrivalled views of the Thames and is characterful in excess.
-
Five of the most majestic properties for sale in Britain today, from a 1,700-acre estate to a private island, as seen in Country LifeOur look at the best homes to come to the market via Country Life this week includes some genuinely breathtaking places.
