Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The château de la Chetardière is a large rural residence built between the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century. Located in Sainte-Gemmes-d'Andigné, in the department of Maine-et-Loire, it embodies the noble rural architecture of the late Old Regime and early 19th century. The main house, rectangular and flanked by two pavilions, fits into a traditional U-plan, with communes in return for square and a nearby farm. Its interior decoration, including the stuccos of the chimneys, dates mostly from the 19th century, while elements such as the imperial roofs or the pool reflect a careful landscape composition.

The castle is distinguished by its opening on the outside, with elevations on garden marked by many small tiled windows, generously illuminating the interior rooms. The lateral wings, in the form of pavilions covered with broken rumps, frame a retreating central body, creating a characteristic architectural balance. Originally, access was via an alley along the Verzea, highlighting its integration into the local landscape. The underground stone pipes, designed to drain rainwater, and the aisles planted complete this preserved landscape composition.

Ranked a historic monument in 2002, the château de la Chetardière includes, within its protected perimeter, the whole house, the walled garden, the lateral and axial aisles, as well as the pool. This classification reflects the heritage value of the ensemble, combining architecture, interior decoration and exterior design. The site illustrates the evolution of rural noble homes, where the distinction of functions (reception, services, leisure) and the multiplication of secondary rooms reflect the lifestyles of the aristocracy and the Earth bourgeoisie in the 18th and 19th centuries.

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