Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

Château de la Mazure, also known as Château de la Masure, is a mansion located in Forcé, in the department of Mayenne, in Pays de la Loire. It is located on the banks of the Jouanne, about 1,500 meters south of the village. Although sometimes confused with other places like the Cassine, it never housed a chapel, contrary to some erroneous historical records.

In 1767, M. Duchemin de la Barberie established a well-known laundry, which was exploited for its fresh and soapy waters of La Jouanne. This activity allowed the Laval factory to compete with major textile centres such as Lyon and Troyes. The site became an economic issue, attracting covetousness: in 1799, Chouans stole 63 pieces of canvas, while the Republicans and Chouans fought against it to seize fabrics.

The present castle was built at the end of the 19th century, in the heart of a vast 375 hectare estate spread over the communes of Forcé, Entrammes and Bonchamp. Its history thus reflects both an agricultural vocation, with its land and wood, and an industrial past linked to textile production, typical of the Laval region at that time.

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