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Origin and history

The Château de l'Épinay is a historic building located in Cossé-le-Vivien, in the department of Mayenne, in the Pays de la Loire region. Located 3 kilometers west of the village, on the right bank of the Oudon, it was originally a fief dependent on the seigneuries of the Gehardière and Méral. His lord was obliged to maintain the bridge of Louresse on the Oudon, stressing his role in the local organization.

In 1592, during the troubles of the Wars of Religion, Pierre Le Cornu, then governor of Craon, s This fact illustrates the military and political tensions of the time in Anjou and Maine. The estate was later cited in 1841 by the jury of Château-Gontier as an example of modern agriculture, thanks to the action of Benjamin Collet-Chouannière, an agronomist known for his innovative methods.

The large chapel of the castle is associated with a local legend: it was built as a Protestant temple by René de Germaincourt, a Huguenot active during the religious disturbances in Le Mans in 1562. This detail reflects the importance of denominational conflicts in the region and the resulting architectural heritage. The site remains a testimony of social transformations, from feudality to industrial agriculture.

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