Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Pezay, located in the commune of Marolles in the department of Loir-et-Cher, has its origins in the history of Marmoutier Abbey. Acquired in 1680 by the Belot family, this domain illustrates the frequent transfers of property among the local elites of the Ancien Régime. Its architecture and location reflect the influence of religious institutions in structuring the rural territory of the Centre-Val de Loire region.

In 1752, the castle passed into the hands of Marie Boësnier, the widow of Jacques Masson, then to his son Alexandre-Frédéric-Jacques Masson de Pezay. This period marks the anchoring of the domain in the family networks of the nobility and rising bourgeoisie. Successive transactions, such as that of 1784 with Charles-Victoire-François de Salaberry, president of Blois' Chamber of Accounts, underline his role in the heritage strategies of wealthy families.

The French Revolution and the 19th century saw the castle change of hands several times: Étienne Crignon de Bonvallet in 1793, then Stéphane Bonneau d'Alençon by inheritance, before being left to Baroness Angellier and Admiral Storelli. Finally, Édouard de Bleau, descendant of the Belots, bought the estate back in the 19th century, closing a history marked by family ties and social recompositions over several generations.

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