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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Convent of Bethany, now known as the Castle of Fontenaille, is a building located in Ecommoy, in the department of Sarthe (Land of the Loire). Built in the 17th century, it embodies the religious and architectural heritage of the historical region of Maine. Although transformed into a castle, its conventual origins remain marked by its two twin pavilions, erected on the edge of the moat and typical of this period.

The 17th century twin pavilions, outbuildings of the convent, are the only elements explicitly protected under the Historic Monuments since May 31, 1943. Their inscription underlines the heritage importance of these remains, which illustrate the religious and civil architecture of the time. The site, located south-east of the village of Ecommoy, thus retains a tangible trace of its conventual past.

No detailed information is available on the daily life of the convent, its founders, or its specific role in the local community. The sources mention only its existence and partial transformation into a castle, without specifying the reasons or actors for this evolution. The current location at approximately 6061 The Bourrelière corresponds to the geographical data recorded in the Merimée database.

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