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Origin and history

The estate of Lonrai, located in Lonrai in Orne, has its origins in the 17th century under the seigneury of the Silly family. In 1527, Anne de Silly's marriage with Jacques Ier de Goyon Matignon included Lonrai at the Maison de Goyon de Matignon. Their descendant, Charles de Goyon Matignon (1564-1648), obtained the erection of the seigneury as a marquisate in 1644. The estate then passed to the Colberts of Seignelay, then to the Montmorency Luxembourg, before being sold in 1792 to Thomas Mercier, Alençonese merchant.

In the 19th century, the medieval castle was demolished by Jacques Mercier, mayor of Alençon and deputy of Orne. In 1855, Charles Choppin of Séraincourt rebuilt the current building, but died in 1860. The estate was then acquired by the banker Armand Donon (1818-1902), mayor of Lonrai, who founded a well-known stud. In 1892, Count Le Marois, president of the Société des Racings de Deauville, bought the estate and installed pumpwood in the large living room, while developing horse breeding.

The castle, surrounded by moat and an English-speaking park on the edge of the Ecouves forest, has been partially protected since 1999 (registration of facades, roofs and elements of the stud) and 2000 (classification of the large living room). The park has been registered since 1943. The family Le Marois retains the estate until the beginning of the 21st century, marking its history with an equestrian vocation and a preserved architectural heritage.

The current architecture, in brick and stone, contrasts with the ancient medieval castle. The protections also cover the farm, orangery, and remains of the dovecote. Part of the estate covers the neighbouring municipality of Colombia, highlighting its territorial and historical importance in the Norman region.

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