In the Maine region of France, a 13th-century seigniorial building and its chapel,
both listed Historical Monuments, as well as its guesthouse and 4-hectare grounds
both listed Historical Monuments, as well as its guesthouse and 4-hectare grounds
Laval,
MAYENNE
pays-de-loire
53000
FR
Location
The property is located in the Maine region of France, on the border of three historic regions: Normandy, Brittany and Anjou. Abutting a wooded slope, it is surrounded by rolling countryside. Essential shops and services are located in two neighbouring towns, ten kilometres away, while the spa town of Bagnoles-de-l’Orne is less than half an hour away. The train stations in Laval and Evron are both 30 minutes away, each of which provides access to Le Mans.
Description
From a small country road, a driveway leads up to a gate, which opens onto a courtyard that leads to the seigniorial building, a slightly set back chapel, via a couple of steps, as well as a guesthouse. An outbuilding is placed at a distance. The grounds, made up primarily of woods and pastures, spread out over nearly 4 hectares in every direction. A swimming pool was installed behind the guesthouse, invisible from the main building.
Built on a remarkable site and constructed since the 13th century by its different successive occupants, the manor takes its name from one of the most powerful families in the Maine region. From the original chateau and its fortified wall, the only thing that remains today is the gatehouse, composed of two guardrooms on either side of the entrance. The entrance is currently occupied, to the south, by a staircase tower added in the 15th century, defended by a brattice.
The guardrooms were also extended towards the west in the 15th century after moving the gable end and adding rubble stone walls, which sharply contrast with the original ashlar stone masonry. In the northwest corner, the bartizan was undoubtedly constructed at the same time. Occupied by former latrines, the west gable end has no windows. However, a bread oven was added here later on, while a lean-to was built up against the east gable end. Today, the dwelling has three storeys, including one built into the roof space. It is covered in a gabled flat tile roof, punctuated by dormer windows in the north, while its entrance tower and bartizan are both crowned with a slate turret. In the south, slightly recessed Gothic arch doors frame the tower. Windows on the first floor, also placed on either side of the tower, are decorated with a stone trefoil pattern and the tower door is crowned with a coat of arms. The façades and the roofs as well as the entrance gate are listed Historical monuments.
Built on a remarkable site and constructed since the 13th century by its different successive occupants, the manor takes its name from one of the most powerful families in the Maine region. From the original chateau and its fortified wall, the only thing that remains today is the gatehouse, composed of two guardrooms on either side of the entrance. The entrance is currently occupied, to the south, by a staircase tower added in the 15th century, defended by a brattice.
The guardrooms were also extended towards the west in the 15th century after moving the gable end and adding rubble stone walls, which sharply contrast with the original ashlar stone masonry. In the northwest corner, the bartizan was undoubtedly constructed at the same time. Occupied by former latrines, the west gable end has no windows. However, a bread oven was added here later on, while a lean-to was built up against the east gable end. Today, the dwelling has three storeys, including one built into the roof space. It is covered in a gabled flat tile roof, punctuated by dormer windows in the north, while its entrance tower and bartizan are both crowned with a slate turret. In the south, slightly recessed Gothic arch doors frame the tower. Windows on the first floor, also placed on either side of the tower, are decorated with a stone trefoil pattern and the tower door is crowned with a coat of arms. The façades and the roofs as well as the entrance gate are listed Historical monuments.
The Seigniorial House
The ground floor
The entrance hall leads to, on one side, a dining room extended by a kitchen, while on the other, a living room is adjacent to a bedroom and shower room. There is also a lavatory and a shower room in the entrance hall, as well as a wooden spiral staircase in the tower, which leads to the two upper floors. Throughout the entire level, the floors are covered in terracotta tiles and the ceilings have exposed beams. Granite fireplaces are placed in each of the three main rooms, while the window surrounds are also in granite.
The first floor
The staircase leads to a vast vaulted and wainscoted living room, with a ceiling to roof-ridge height of approximately 6.30 metres. This space was once occupied by the former guardroom, at that time accessible via ladders. With a granite fireplace and two stone coats of arms positioned on the eastern wall of the living room, it communicates with two adjacent bedrooms, each with their own wardrobe, while a hallway leads to a lavatory and bathroom. One of these bedrooms opens onto a small office, also with a granite fireplace, located in the bartizan, and a bathroom. Like the lower level, the floors are covered in terracotta tiles and the window and door surrounds are in granite.
The second floor
Located on the mezzanine, it is accessible via a staircase from the upstairs living room as well as directly from the one in the tower. This level includes a living room, bedroom and shower room with a lavatory. A granite fireplace is fastened to one of the living room’s walls and the bedroom communicates with the bartizan.
The Guesthouse
Recently and entirely restored, on the ground floor, it includes a large kitchen, dining room, living room as well as a shower room with lavatory, over a surface area of approximately 83 m². Built into the roof space, two bedrooms, accessible from the hallway, extend over approximately 15 m² each and are adjacent to a bathroom with lavatory. This level has white stone floors and exposed beam ceilings, while a wood pellet stove provides heat for the entire house.
The Chapel
With a surface area of approximately 27 m², this small rectangular edifice was built out of rubble and ashlar stone. It is topped with a tile roof and the gable end, pierced by an arched doorway, is crowned with a slate hipped steeple. Its apse has a wainscoted barrel vault and a widely splayed sawtooth-shaped window, which was originally its only source of light. Placed under the invocation of Saint Thomas, the Bishop of Canterbury, the chapel is decorated with remarkable wall paintings, composed of different décor painted between the second half of the 13th century and the second half of the 15th century. A listed historical monument, this building was the subject of a significant restoration completed in 1988.
The Outbuilding
Placed on one side of the grounds, it is accessible via the driveway. The walls are wood cladded and the construction is covered by a gabled slate roof. The building is used as a garage and workshop-outhouse, with a surface area of approximately 60 m².
The Grounds
The house is located in a forest clearing, which surrounds it on three of its sides. Tree-filled lawns were created between the different buildings and the chapel with its well. Past that, a walnut orchard was planted, while two pastures link up with the forested area, the edges of which are part of the property. Lastly, the swimming pool is located behind the outbuilding.
Our opinion
Bordering the great duchies of the west, an ancient seigniorial stronghold, which has witnessed almost a thousand years of history. Built on the side of the hill, overlooking the forest and valley, the dwelling still contains the memories, passed down through the centuries in its stones. From its high towers, the view is breath-taking and the thick masonry of its walls directly recalls the edifice’s original defensive vocation, now a listed historical monument. Its successive renovations have not affected its imposing appearance, but have transformed the premises into a comfortable country home. The 13th-century former guardroom as well as the small chapel, both historical monuments, are remarkable.
Reference 408669
| Land registry surface area | 3 ha 83 a 58 ca |
| Main building surface area | 315 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 4 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 225 m2 |
| including refurbished area | 138 m2 |
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NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.
