First written entry 1234 (≈ 1234)
Archives: *H. de Veissosere* (Sarthe)
1530
Central acquisition
Central acquisition 1530 (≈ 1530)
Becomes centre of Bouère chestnutie
31 juillet 1554
Foundation of the Chapel
Foundation of the Chapel 31 juillet 1554 (≈ 1554)
By Jean du Matz, Bishop of Dol
25 mai 1832
Royalist occupation
Royalist occupation 25 mai 1832 (≈ 1832)
Insurgents occupy the castle
10 août 1977
MH protection
MH protection 10 août 1977 (≈ 1977)
Registration facades, roofs and chapel
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Facades and roofs; chapel; closure of the green carpet with the gate and its grid (cad. C 838, 839, 879, 899): entry by order of 10 August 1977
Key figures
Jean du Matz - Bishop of Dol
Founded the chapel in 1554
Jeanne de Bourdeille - Archivist
Gathered the titles in 1631
René de la Dufferie - Lord
Agrégéa la Richardière in 1652
Jacques Alès de Brizay - Donor
Added two Masses in 1714
Origin and history
The Château de la Vezouzière, mentioned in 1234 under the name H. de Veissosere, is a medieval fief whose first written traces date back to the thirteenth century. The archives reveal spelling variations (P. de la Voisousière in 1390, Vezouzière in 1680), reflecting its linguistic and administrative evolution. This estate, initially dependent on the seigneury of the Plessis-Bourreau de Bierné, became the centre of the Bouère chestnutry after its acquisition in 1530.
The chapel of the castle, dedicated to Notre-Dame de Bonnes-Nouvelles, was founded in 1554 by Jean du Matz, bishop of Dol, and enriched by successive gifts (Richardière in 1652, two Masses in 1714). The site was also the scene of disturbing events: occupation by royalist insurgents in 1832, and unsuccessful searches of weapons hidden in 1800, ordered by the police minister after a robbery by robbers in 1795.
The cartrier de la Vezouzière, gathering archives since 1631 by Jeanne de Bourdeille, partially disappeared in the 19th century. The facades, roofs, chapel and fence of the green carpet have been protected since 1977, reflecting its heritage importance. The castle thus illustrates the feudal, religious and political history of Mayenne, from the wars of Religion to the Revolution.
