Construction of the castle XIVe siècle (≈ 1450)
Big work and two preserved towers.
1601
Start of parish registers
Start of parish registers 1601 (≈ 1601)
Archives mentioning local life.
1633
Devastating epidemic
Devastating epidemic 1633 (≈ 1633)
Contagion ravaging the parish.
XVIe siècle
Adding corner towers
Adding corner towers XVIe siècle (≈ 1650)
Four extra towers, Renaissance style.
29 novembre 1974
Registration for historical monuments
Registration for historical monuments 29 novembre 1974 (≈ 1974)
Protection of facades and moats.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Fronts and roofs of the castle including those of the isolated tower; moat (cad. AE 19): registration by order of 29 November 1974
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character identified
Sources not mentioning any names.
Origin and history
Somloire Castle, located in the department of Maine-et-Loire, is a building whose origins date back to the 14th century with elements of a castle, such as the housework and two towers. In the 16th century, four corner towers were added, and modifications were made to the openings and gate, the latter coming from the abbey of Saint-Savin (Vienna). These transformations mark a period of renovation and beautification of the monument, typical of Renaissance architecture.
The castle is closely linked to the local religious and administrative history. The parish of Somloire, originally attached to the bishopric of Poitiers, passed under the authority of Maillezais in 1317, then La Rochelle in 1648. The tithes and the cure depended on the castle, while the church and the cemetery belonged to the lord of Maulévrier. The parish records, beginning in 1601, reveal significant events such as a devastating epidemic in 1633 and the looting of the village by soldiers in 1652.
In 1974, the castle was included in the inventory of historical monuments for its facades, roofs, moats and an isolated tower. A church of Notre-Dame, mentioned in 1471 and serving as a parish church, was destroyed in 1877. The site also preserves traces of 19th century architectural covers, especially in agricultural areas. Today, the castle bears witness to centuries of history, mixing medieval heritage and renaissant influences.
