La Mothe-Chandeniers is a romantic French chateau, which was built in the 13th century but now lies abandoned because its turrets and towers have begun to corrode. However, the chateau has seen an unexpected change of fortunes as more than 6,500 people from 45 countries have got together to save the castle from disrepair. And the number continues to grow: Currently, it stands at 9,000. /Chinanews Photo

Each fundraiser has donated at least 50 euros (58 US dollars) via the official Dartagnans.fr website, which is an organization for protecting cultural heritage. In return, each of those donors could be crowned co-owner of the castle. /Chinanews Photo

Restoration will be finished in 2018, and the co-owners can visit their “new home” soon after, but they will not live in the castle. The donors will get a say in the castle’s regeneration and they will be the first people through the doors. /Chinanews Photo

A powerful Parisian businessman restored the castle in the early 1800s, but in the late 19th century, ownership of the castle fell to a socialite who loved to host soirees. Unfortunately, the castle was severely damaged in 1932 when lots of imported treasures, books and paintings were wiped out by a heavy fire. In 1981, a teacher purchased the crumbling castle, hoping to transform its former glory, but it was too complicated. /Chinanews Photo