Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de la Forêterie was built between 1895 and 1897 in Allonnes, Sarthe, on the order of Gustave Avice, a Parisian banker who wanted a family residence in his original region. Designed by architect Georges Darcy, family friend and chief architect of the Historic Monuments, it replaces an existing building with a Renaissance-style building. Gustave Avice lived there until his death in 1913, while occupying the post of mayor of Allonnes from 1899. The castle becomes a resort and a local cultural hub, welcoming artists such as the painter Cormon or the engraver Le Couteux.

During World War II, the castle was requisitioned by German troops at the end of 1941. He served in turn as headquarters for an officer in 1942 and was sheltered for tanks in 1944. In March 1944, American bombing damaged dependencies due to proximity to strategic targets in Le Mans, but spared the castle. However, on the night of August 8 to 9, 1944, the SS Das Reich division voluntarily fire the building, destroying the interior and roof, leaving it to abandon for 70 years.

From the 2000s, François Avice, Gustave's great grandson, launched an ambitious restoration project with specialized architects. Between 2016 and 2018, a new wooden frame was laid to put the castle out of water. Since 2019, work has focused on the restoration of stones and carpentry to protect it from weather (outside the air). The castle, now secure, opens on time to the public, especially during Heritage Days, and hosts cultural events such as outdoor cinemas.

The Association Les Amis du Château de la Forêterie, founded in 2016, supports the rehabilitation of the site and organizes activities in collaboration with the city of Allonnes. An informative sign, installed in 2018 along the Sarthe, allows passers-by to discover its history. The project receives financial support from the DRAC Pays de la Loire, the Conseil départemental de la Sarthe and the Fondation du Patrimoine.

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