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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Sainte-Suzanne, located in the department of Mayenne in Pays de la Loire, is a medieval fortress whose origins date back to the 11th century. Built on a rocky spur overlooking the Erve valley, it was erected by the family of Beaumont, Viscounts of Maine, who erected a dungeon and ramparts there. This strategic site, occupied since the Iron Age, became a symbol of resistance against the conquerors, especially during the unsuccessful siege led by William the Conqueror between 1083 and 1086, marking one of his rare military defeats.

Over the centuries, the castle changed hands several times, passing from Beaumont to Alençon, then to Bourbon-Vendôme, before being sold in 1594 to Marguerite de France, known as "the Queen Margot". In 1604 Guillaume Fouquet de la Varenne, minister of Henri IV, acquired the ruins of the fortress and began its transformation into a residential residence of Renaissance and classical style. Although the project was not completed due to the king's assassination in 1610, the house built between 1608 and 1613 remains a remarkable architectural testimony of this transition period.

During the Hundred Years' War, the castle was held by the English and taken over by the French, illustrating its strategic importance. John Fastolf took it in 1425 before it was taken over by Jean de Bueil in 1439. In the 17th century, Guillaume Fouquet de la Varenne, with the help of architect Louis Metezeau, partially modernized the structure by integrating Renaissance elements, such as pediment windows and a sober facade, while preserving the medieval ramparts. The castle, classified as a historical monument in 1862 for its ramparts and in 1984 for its house, now houses the Centre d'interprétation de l'architecture et du patrimoine (CIAP).

The castle is also known for its hybrid architecture, mixing a fortified 11th century triangular courtyard, with eleven towers, with a 17th century house with classical influences. The inverted hull-shaped structure, the sill windows and the superposition of orders (doric, ionic, corinthian) make this a unique example of the transition between Renaissance and classicism. Archaeological excavations in 2006 confirmed an occupation of the site since the Iron Age, reinforcing its historical and cultural importance.

In the 20th century, after several changes of owners, including Arnaud de Vitry, who undertook major restorations in the 1970s, the castle was acquired by the commune of Sainte-Suzanne in 1980 and then by the department of Mayenne in 1998. Today, it is open to the public and offers exhibitions, while being recognized for its accessibility, having won the first National Accessibility Awards in 2013. Its history, marked by famous seats and architectural transformations, makes it an emblematic heritage of the Pays de la Loire.

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