Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Montecler, located on the border between Châtres-la-Forêt and Saint-Christophe-du-Luat in Mayenne, finds its origins in the former seigneury of Launay-Péan. In 1605, this seigneury was erected as a chestnut under the name of the Aunay, then dependent on the Baron of Sainte-Suzanne. In January 1616, King Louis XIII raised this chestnut in a marquisate to reward Urban de Montecler, creating the Marquisat de Montecler. This title, directly under the crown, is accompanied by privileges and acquisition of neighboring fiefs such as Moncrintin or St. Christopher.

The present castle, though large and imposing, remains unfinished: its main house body lacks slender roofs and a second pavilion planned. His remarkable elements include a pavilion with tormented roofs, a chapel founded in 1631 by André de Montecler, and a "golden room" with carved panelling, perhaps decorated by the painter Aimé Bouvier in 1693. The vaulted stables, surmounted by a "guard room", complete this ensemble that combines residential functions and power symbols.

During the French Revolution, the castle was abandoned by its owners, accused of emigration. In 1791, weapons and a historic cannon were seized by the National Guard of Évron. The surrounding woods became a caulian den, a scene of fighting between republicans and royalists until 1832. After the Terror, the Marquise de Montecler tried to save family property from Paris, while the estate, neglected, was entrusted to a manager. The castle remains a symbol of the political struggles of the time.

The family of Montecler, the owner of the site since the 16th century, descends from the lords of the Aunay-Péan and the Cibel, noble family allied with the Le Porc and Nepveu. The town of Montecler (1577–41), the first Marquis, and his descendants, including François de Montecler (1641–99), Viscount of Raveton, mark the history of the place. The family coat of arms, from crowned lions to lions, and the motto Magnus inter pares embody their prestige. In the 19th century, the marquisat passed to Eugénie-Henriette de Montecler, then to its descendants, including the present owners, Benoît and Odile de Ruffray.

Ranked a historic monument in 2011, the castle of Montecler illustrates the aristocratic architecture of the Great West. His history, linked to the Wars of Religion, the Fronde, and the Salesian conflicts, makes him a major witness to the Mayan heritage. The archives also mention his military role, with the regiment of the Montecler Dragons, which became the 13th Dragons under the Old Regime.

External links