Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de Montguerré, located 5 km southwest of Montenay (Mayenne), was a medieval fief including wood, pond and mill, dependent on the castle of Ernée. A local legend associated Bertrand du Guesclin, although his capture took place in Jouvigné-en-Vernie (Sarthe). The estate belonged to the Plessis-Châtillon family for a long time, as evidenced by the coat of arms visible on the remains.

The old castle, destroyed in 1834 with the exception of a chapel, a tower and a portico, housed an active religious life. A private chapel, with ornaments and authorized to celebrate Masses for the family and servants, was mentioned in 1702 by Pierre du Plessis-Châtillon. The chapel bell, engraved in Gothic "Sancte Juliane, ora pro nobis", recalls its liturgical use.

In the 19th century, a new castle was built on the hill, offering panoramic views of Montenay, Juvigné and Ernée. Described as a "big square house without architecture" by Abbé Angot, he retained heraldic elements of the Plessis-Châtillon and the Goué. The chapel, abandoned at the end of the 19th century, was restored at the beginning of the 20th century by the Count of Hercé.

The site is marked by ancient toponymic traces: "Montguerré" (1380), "Monguerré" (1413), or "Montgueret" on the maps of State-Major. The Montguerré stream, a tributary of the Ernée, crosses the estate, highlighting its geographical and historical anchor in the Mayen landscape.

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