Origin and history
Foulletorte Castle, 2 km from Saint-Georges-sur-Erve in Mayenne, is a 16th and 17th century residence built on the foundations of an ancient feudal castle. Built around 1570 on a motte surrounded by ditches and bordering a pond crossed by the Erve, it embodies a sober yet majestic Renaissance style, favoring solidity to ornamentation. Its two bodies of granite houses, arranged at right angles, frame a courtyard where once stood a gallery and a medieval chapel, now missing. The moat, fed by the river, and the drawbridge recall its defensive origin, while the central loggia, with its honorary staircase, adds a touch of architectural prestige.
As soon as it was built, the castle was the scene of conflicts related to the Wars of Religion. In 1571, René Bourré, lord of Jarzé, briefly occupied him, before Antoine de Vassé, his owner, had a seat in 1590 at the order of the king and prince of Conti. In the 18th century, during the caulianry, the castle was used as a den for insurgents: in 1795, General Gency ordered his search, calling it a "army of robbers". These military episodes underline its strategic role in a region marked by political and religious tensions.
Owned by the Vassé family from the 14th to the 18th century, the castle then passed into the hands of the Pinon, then the Malherbe, still owners today. Vassé's family, notably Antoine (died after 1590) and his son Annibal, marked the history of the place, as did Abbé Louis-François, the last heir to sell the estate in 1709. The Pinon, including Paul-Louis, master of petitions, and the Malherbe, like Senator Raymond, perpetuate his legacy. Ranked a historic monument in 1929 (registration) and 1974 (partial classification), the 11-hectare site, with its 800-bull leak, remains a remarkable example of seigneurial architecture in the Pays de la Loire.
The architecture of the castle reflects a balance between defensive and Renaissance aesthetics. The central loggia pavilion, accessible by a double staircase, features richly carved columns and entanglements, contrasting with the sobriety of the facades. The triangular pediments, decorated with vases, and the modillon cornice animate the silhouette of the houses. The moat, exceptionally wide, and the remains of the feudal motte bear witness to its evolution since the Middle Ages. Although the chapel of the Three-Rois (15th century) has disappeared, an armored stone and a granite bentier recall its existence, linked to the lords of Vassé.
Today, the castle of Foulletorte, still privately owned by the Malherbe family, is only visited outside. The driveway leading to the bridge offers stunning views of the courtyard and the residences, while the 11-hectare park, registered in 1943, houses a medieval leak. This monument, both fortress and seigneurial residence, illustrates the tormented history of Mayenne, between religious conflicts, peasant rebellions and preserved architectural heritage.
Announcements
Please log in to post a review