Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château du Percher, located in Saint-Martin-du-Bois (Maine-et-Loire), is an iconic Louis XII building built between the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Its architecture reflects a transition between the flamboyant Gothic and the Italianizing influences of the Renaissance. The eastern wing, dating from the late 15th century thanks to its carved skylights, seems to precede the north wing, decorated with bays with later decoration (1st quarter of the 16th century). The chapel, originally dedicated to Saint-Aubin and then to Notre-Dame-de-Pitié, presents a Latin cross plan and a vault with liernes and thirdons, characteristic of the late Gothic.

The castle was rebuilt between 1495 and 1515 by Pierre and Guillaume de Tinténac, lords of the place, on an old fief of Bouillé-Théval. The staircase tower, remarkable for its octagonal shape at the base and square in the upper part, as well as the two bodies of buildings in square, illustrate the adaptation of medieval architectural models to new trends. Major restoration campaigns took place between 1855 and 1860, including the chapel (Gerome Darmel's windows) and the construction of communes. In 1930, the fragile skylights were restored by architects Hardion and Bricard.

Ranked as a historical monument on three occasions (1922 for facades, 1965 for roofs, and 1968 for the chapel), the castle of Percher bears witness to the evolution of artistic tastes between the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Its steeped campanile, pavilion roofs, and residual defensive elements (such as the tower with a conical roof) make it a rare example of transitional seigneurial architecture. The sources, including Henri Enguehard's work (1964), underline its heritage importance in Anjou.

The site, open to the visit, retains a local accuracy considered "very satisfactory" (note 8/10), with an address referenced in the Merimée database. The successive protections cover all the facades, roofs, and the chapel, highlighting its historical and architectural value. The 19th century restorations, although partially documented, preserved its authenticity while adapting to modern uses (room rental, guest rooms).

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