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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Château de la Pelissonnière, located in the commune of Boupere in Vendée (Pays de la Loire), is a former Renaissance-style manor house dating back to 1647. On that date, it already included a medieval dungeon and a body of main houses, typical of the seigneurial residences of the time. This monument illustrates the architectural transition between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, with defensive elements coexisting with more refined living spaces, reflecting the evolution of the lifestyles of the Vendean rural aristocracy.

In the 19th century, the castle underwent major transformations under the impetus of Viscount Zénobe Frotier de Bagneux. The latter incorporates remarkable heritage elements, including the large chimney of the priory of Mouzeuil-Saint-Martin, now classified. These changes were intended to modernize the home while preserving its historical character, a phenomenon common among noble families concerned with legitimacy and comfort in the romantic century.

The castle is marked by notable events, such as the stay of the Duchess of Berry in 1828, emblematic figure of the Restoration and symbol of the political tensions of the time. Property of the family of Lestange since the 19th century, it is partially listed as historical monuments in 1997 for its tower and Renaissance fireplace. This late protection underscores the heritage value of the site, while revealing the challenges of preserving private castles in France.

Architecturally, the Château de la Pelissonnière is distinguished by its isolated tower in the park and its Renaissance fireplace, which has been protected since 1997. These characteristics make it a rare testimony of the vendean manor houses, often less known than the large castles of the Loire but just as representative of local history. Its inscription in the title of historical monuments devotes its role to the regional heritage, between seigneurial memory and successive adaptations.

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