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Origin and history

The castle of Mesnières, built in the early 16th century on the remains of a 11th century medieval fortress, embodies the transition between defensive architecture and Renaissance aesthetics. The construction, initiated by Charles de Boissay around 1500 and completed in 1546 by his sister Suzanne de Gouvis, is inspired by the Loire castles, with cylindrical towers and a central pavilion decorated with Greek pilasters. The seigneurial chapel, blessed in 1546, marks the culmination of this first phase.

In the 17th century, the Marquisat de Mesnières, erected in 1650 under Louis de Fautereau, saw the castle enriched with the gallery of the Cerfs, the room of the Maps and the room of the Quatre-Tambours, reflecting the fascist of the aristocracy under Louis XIV. Ravaged by the Leaguers and then transformed into a prison during the Revolution, the estate was saved from demolition in 1834 by Abbé Charles Eude, who founded an orphanage and boarding school, adding a neo-Gothic chapel and school outbuildings.

The fire of 2004, destroying the roofs and chapels of the 16th and 19th centuries, destroyed part of the artistic heritage, including old stained glass windows and works attributed to the school of Guardi. The restoration, carried out until 2014, gives life to the castle, today the seat of the Saint Joseph institution, combining technical education (horticulture, social health) and historical preservation. The park, designed by Le Nôtre, and the classified elements (colombiers, commons) bear witness to its past prestige.

The castle also illustrates the French political upheavals: sold in 1762 to Louis XV and exchanged for stables of the Tuileries, sequestered during the Terror, it becomes a symbol of resilience. Its hybrid architecture — medieval mâchicoulis and classic salons — makes it a Norman gem, often compared to the Loire castles, while its social role evolves from seigneurial fortress to educational and cultural pole.

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