We are Dutch and we had wanted to buy a historic house in France less than seven hours from Amsterdam for a long time. After reading the advert we decided to go to Mayenne, a region we hadn’t heard of before. As "cultural entrepreneurs", art historians, book publishers and organisers of exhibitions and cultural and artistic events, this house is our wildest dream. Our leitmotiv is to connect history to the present and to share it with as many people as possible.
Located in the heart of the wooded countryside of Mayenne, on over four hectares, the château, its chapel and dovecote are listed as historic monuments. The large rectangular dwelling dates back to the 13th century. Its main facade consists of a false central front ending in a gable peak. It is framed by two triangular pediment dormers. The regular shape of its high bay windows and its long-sloped hipped roof covered in slate with four chimney stacks bear witness to the great campaign of enlargement and restoration in the 17th century which shaped the present château. The former 14th century seigniorial chapel, covered in slate and topped with a bell tower, was built from an overturned ship's hull frame. Built in 1539, it has a hexagonal design and is built in half-timber with flat brick hoarding. It is raised on granite pillars, crowned with a six-sided pepper pot roof and contains seven hundred bolts. An underground ice house dug into the rock and several outbuildings, including two wings of western and eastern outbuildings dating from the 17th and 18th centuries surround the seigneurial dwelling. A symmetrical garden entirely enclosed by walls is bordered on two sides by the moat.
The first mention of a lord of Le Fresne dates back to 1245. From the 15th century until 1594, Le Fresne belonged to an old family from the Bas-Maine, the Anthenaise family. In 1594, Honorat-Benjamin de Beauregard, from a family originally from Touraine, married Magdeleine d'Anthenaise. The de Beauregard family occupied Le Fresne until 1783. René de Beauregard, captain of the guards of the Count of Soissons, cornet of the Duke of Vendôme, then in 1653, an ordinary butler of King Louis XIV, had the old house refurbished and decorated. The shields engraved on the façade are those of Louis Charles de Beauregard, lieutenant of the marshals of France for the Perche. The estate belonged to Emile Poirier who died in 1915. Hundreds of archive documents found in the attics dating back more than a century bear witness to his fabric factory business, which has now disappeared.
During their stay, our guests can appreciate the house’s history and artistic and cultural activities too. The artists who stay with us temporarily work in the main house but in the annex buildings as well. Our guests can enjoy the gardens, the tranquillity, a delicious breakfast and stay in the most beautiful rooms dating from the 14th and 18th centuries. Beyond the walls, the countryside, with its pastures and woods, stretches as far as the eye can see. Like a small, self-contained village, which it has been for many centuries, the house will soon be home to a restaurant in the former bakery, additional guest rooms and gîtes in the outbuildings.
The Mayenne region with its capital Laval is relatively unknown. Yet art, culture and heritage are to be found everywhere and the countryside is exceptionally beautiful! The Centre d'action culturelle Mayenne has a rich, diverse theatre, dance, music and exhibition programme throughout the year. Stop over in Sainte-Suzanne, one of the most beautiful villages in France, to discover authentic and historic Mayenne! "L'Éveil des Sens", the only Michelin-starred restaurant in Mayenne, puts local, seasonal products which are produced with care by regional and organic producers at the heart of its dishes. The Vélo Francette, a cycle route, crosses the Mayenne on a 105 kilometre itinerary. Fontaine-Daniel, a former workers’ village for those working in textiles in the 19th century, has a remarkable layout and architecture.
The three historic bedrooms in the main house share the same bathroom. In the near future after careful renovations, there will be a bathroom for each room.
ref 626311
There are temporary exhibitions organised all year round.
The Nuit Blanche de l'Art Contemporain has a stopover in Le Fresne.
We welcome French and foreign artists to take up a residence with us throughout the year.
The French-style park will soon be revived and there will be a guided tour of it in addition to the guided tour of the property.
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