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  2. Patrimoine
  3. Pays-de-la-Loire
  4. Mayenne
  5. 53150 Saint-Ouën-des-Vallons

  6. Château de la Roche-Pichemer

 Château de la Roche-Pichemer à Saint-Ouën-des-Vallons en Mayenne

Patrimoine classé
Patrimoine défensif
Demeure seigneuriale
Château

Château de la Roche-Pichemer

    La Roche Pichemer 
    53150 Saint-Ouën-des-Vallons
Private property
Museums of France
All the castles of France
Château de la Roche-Pichemer
Château de la Roche-Pichemer
Crédit photo : MontdErve - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
1600
1700
1800
1900
2000
1542–1570
Construction by Louis du Plessis
1630
First mention of the chapel
vers 1840
Addition of the east wing
17 septembre 1973
Historic Monument Protection
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

Façades and roofs of the castle and the three pavilions; escape; next rooms of the castle with their decoration: on the ground floor: living room, dining room, red bedroom and small dining room; on the first floor: library (box A 52): by order of 17 September 1973; Façades and roofs of the communes of the castle (cad. A 52): inscription by decree of 17 September 1973

Key figures

Louis du Plessis (1542–1570) - Presumed constructor Builds the current house body.
François du Plessis (1588–1642) - Lord and Duelist Kill as a duel in 1625.
Jean-François de Hercé (1776–1849) - Bishop and Mayor Owner and local figure.
Guillaume-François d’Ozouville (1794–1859) - Mayor and historian Add wing is around 1840.
Charles Maucourt de Bourjolly (1645–?) - Historician born in the castle Son of the farmer general.
Catherine-sans-pitié - Legendary figure Legend of night cruelty.

Origin and history

The Château de la Roche-Pichemer, located in Saint-Ouën-des-Vallons en Mayenne (Land of the Loire), is a 13th and 16th century building. It consists of two houses framed by three pavilions, with a chapel renovated in the 19th century. The estate, fief and seigneury since at least the 15th century, was attached to the parish seigneury of Saint-Ouën. His lords had a variety of feudal rights, such as the common oven or rights to the sale of food.

The construction of the present castle is attributed to Louis du Plessis (1542–70), with a body of rectangular houses and square pavilions. A round tower remains at the northwest corner, and a symmetrical second is supposed to have existed before the east wing was added in the 19th century. The chapel, mentioned in 1630, was incorporated into the castle after 1804. The monument has been protected since 1973, with facades, roofs, and interior elements classified or registered.

The castle is linked to several noble families: the Plessis (until 1645), the Montesson (1645–1778), and then the Hercé and the Ozouville from the 19th century. Among his notable occupants, François du Plessis (1588–42), killed in duel, or Jean-François de Hercé (1776–49), bishop of Nantes and mayor of Laval. A local legend evokes Catherine-without mercy, condemned to wander at night for her cruelty.

The castle park, classified as a remarkable garden, includes a pond and is set up in a private domain where only the exteriors are accessible. Nearby, other historical sites such as the Château de Trancalou (Deux-Évailles) or the Priory of Gesnes complete the local heritage. The castle illustrates the architectural and social evolution of a Mayen seigneury, from feudal rights to its modern residential role.

Historian Charles Maucourt de Bourjolly (1645–?), born in the castle, and Guillaume-François d'Ozouville (1794–1859), mayor of Saint-Ouën-des-Vallons and founder of the local church, also mark his history. The archives mention feudal acts, successive sales, and heritage protections, highlighting its regional importance since the Middle Ages.

External links

Page Wikipedia
Page Monumentum