Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Maré mansion, located at Pontlevoy in the Loir-et-Cher, was built between 1456 and 1507 during the transition between the 15th and 16th centuries. This seigneurial house, surrounded by water ditches, was accessible by two bridges, some of which served as pools. The architectural ensemble consisted of a main house body, an independent chapel with two vaulted arches, and a low body housing stables and attic. The agricultural buildings, originally dedicated to farming, were converted into dwellings in the early 20th century, while the interior of the house, redesigned at the same time, preserves original elements such as two monumental chimneys and dusts on two levels.

The chapel, remarkable for its ground ribs worn by carved caps and committed columns, houses remains of murals dating back to the 1500s. These decors, though partial, testify to the artistic importance of the place. The well, the facades of the house and the chapel in full were inscribed in the Historical Monuments by order of 7 November 2003, highlighting their heritage value. The site, though transformed, illustrates the evolution of a rural mansion in residence adapted to modern uses, while preserving significant medieval traces.

Originally, the Maré mansion embodied local seigneurial power, combining noble habitat, private places of worship and agricultural infrastructure. The ditches and bridges reinforced its defensive character, typical of the late Middle Ages constructions in the region. The chapel, dedicated to limited family or community use, also reflected the central religious role in daily life. The transformations of the 20th century, although modifying its primary function, allowed its conservation, while adapting spaces to contemporary needs (housing, garages).

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