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Origin and history

Martigné Castle was founded in the 15th century in the town of Avessé in the Sarthe department. Originally owned by the Bréhier family, originally from Anjou, he passed into the hands of Nicolas de Tronchay at the end of the 16th century, then of Felix de Samson, who erected a chapel there in 1678. The building, marked by transformations in the eighteenth century, embodies the architectural and social evolution of the local seigneuries.

Sold as a national good during the French Revolution, the castle changed hands and became the residence of Clement-Jacques Goupil, naturalist and deputy of the Sarthe during the reign of Louis-Philippe. This character illustrates the transition from a seigneurial function to a more modern use, reflecting the political and social upheavals of the period.

Located on a hill overlooking the river Vègre, the castle consists of a body of central houses flanked by rectangular pavilions, typical of the aristocratic houses of the region. Its full inscription in historic monuments in 1990, including interior and exterior, underscores its heritage and architectural value.

Available sources, including Wikipedia and the Merimée base, confirm its status as a protected monument (Cadastre ZL 2) and its anchor in local history. The castle, although partially documented for its contemporary uses (visits, events), remains a major witness to the Sarthois heritage and the Pays de la Loire.

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