Online crowdfunding helps save crumbling chateau in west France

POITIERS, France - It's a modern story of an ancient fairy tale castle: A crowdfunding effort online has raised 1.6 million euros ($1.9 million) to restore a chateau in western France.

Around 25,000 people from 115 countries have become shareholders in the chateau de La Mothe-Chandeniers, which has turrets, a moat and an elderly owner who had not maintained it.

The 19th-century building has fallen into disrepair with trees and vegetation sprouting out of its roof and windows, raising fears that it might be knocked down and redeveloped by property developers.