CRAVANT, France (WKRC) - An elderly woman sold her castle in order to live closer to her family.
According to WECB, 88-year-old Colette Béchet sold her medieval castle, which is located in Cravant, France. Per the outlet, the donjon, or keep, sits atop an outcrop in the Yonne region of the country and has been something of a passion project.
Béchet lived in the historic structure for over four decades, according to WECB, which reported that she saw the 25-meter-high keep back in 1983 while out on a stroll and purchased it the very next day.
“I found it extraordinary," Béchet said, according to WECB. "I bought it the next day with all my savings.”
Per WECB, Béchet has worked over the decades to both restore and preserve the donjon, which the 88-year-old said offers incredible views of the surrounding area. The keep also features a 1000-square meter garden, per the outlet.
Although Béchet put a great deal of work into the donjon, she said having to climb several hundred steps a day had become too taxing in her advanced age, according to WECB.
“Climbing 600 steps daily is exhausting,” Béchet said, per the outlet.
The outlet reported that Béchet hoped to find another owner who would put the same love and respect into the historic structure that she had, adding that she hoped to see the doors remain open to the public. According to WECB, Béchet moved to live closer to her family in the Jura region of France.
“I’ve dedicated forty years of my life to this extraordinary place. I hope the next owner will continue to keep it alive,” Béchet said, per WECB.
According to WECB, Béchet's donjon dates back to around 1304. It was first constructed by the lords of Cravant, and was later used as a prison during the time of the Knights Templar before becoming a residence for a wealthy family in the 17th century, per the outlet.
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