Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château du Fouilloux, located in Saint-Germain-le-Fouilloux in Mayenne, is built on the site of an old seigneurial castle. In 1840, it was described as a three-level rectangular house body, flanked by a square pavilion, with six spans to the north. Its location at the top of a hill offers stunning views of the Ernée Valley.

The first records of the lords of Fouilloux date back to the end of the 12th century, with Gervais de Brée as the first known lord. The local fiefs, including Fouilloux's, were initially dependent on the chestnut of Entrammes. In 1408, Guy XII of Laval acquired these fiefs, and in 1542 the estate was erected as a chestnut in his care. In 1601, the castle was described as a seigneurial house surrounded by enclosed gardens and orchards.

In the 17th century, Louis-Joseph de Montecler, seigneur and governor of Laval, was buried in the church of Saint-Tugal in 1686. The estate then passed to Louis de la Chapelle, then to Michel René François du Mans, who rebuilt the castle around 1785 according to the plans of architect Jean-Baptiste Tellot. The present castle, with its 18th century chapel and terraced gardens, has been listed as historical monuments since 2016.

Michel du Mans' son, Michel du Mans de Bourglevesque, became mayor of Saint-Germain-le-Fouilloux and deputy of Mayenne from 1829 to 1830. Today, the castle preserves significant architectural elements, such as its house body and skylights, reflecting its seigneurial heritage and evolution throughout the centuries.

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