Château de la Turmelière en Maine-et-Loire

Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de la Turmelière, located in Liré (Maine-et-Loire), is an emblematic monument of the Angelian heritage, known as the birthplace of the poet Joachim du Bellay (1522-1560). Its origins date back to the 13th century, where it served as a defensive place for the lords of Liré, taking advantage of a strategic location between steep hillsides and the Loire. The primitive castle, restored in the 15th century by Perceval Chabot, became a seigneurial residence before being gradually abandoned in favour of more recent constructions.

In the Middle Ages, the estate belonged to the d'Avoyr family, then passed to the Chabots and the Bellay. Joachim du Bellay lived his youth there, inspired by the surrounding bocager landscapes. After centuries of transformation and conflict, especially during the wars of Vendée (1793-1794), the castle was partially destroyed. In the 19th century, the Thoinnet family, including Count Charles Thoinnet, built a new castle inspired by Beaumesnil, while the medieval ruins were preserved and classified as a historical monument in 1941.

Today, the site houses a cultural centre dedicated to poetry, a rehabilitation institute, and a park labeled for its biodiversity. The remains of the castle fort (doves, dovecote, crenelated walls) coexist with the neo-Gothic castle, offering a unique testimony to the history of Angelina, between military, literary and natural heritage. The ruins, located below the present castle, recall the strategic importance of the place, while the artificial terraces and caves add a romantic dimension to the park.

La Turmelière was also a place of resistance during the Revolution, temporarily sheltering vendean leaders such as La Rochejaquelein. After 1794, the Thoinnet family, anobligated under Louis XVI, rebuilt the estate before it became, in the 20th century, a place for children and a centre for the promotion of poetry. The association La Turmelière today continues this vocation by organizing residences of writers, workshops and literary visits.

The park, rich in animal and plant species, is an educational support for environmental activities. The present castle, marked by the initials CTT (Charles Thoinnet de la Turmelière), preserves ceilings painted by Adèle Thoinnet, wife of the Count. This mixture of medieval history, poetic renaissance and contemporary commitment makes the Turmelière a major cultural and natural site of the Pays de la Loire.

External links