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Origin and history

The insanity of the Gibraye is a castle built in 1763 in Saint-Sébastien-sur-Loire, in the Loire-Atlantique department. His plans are attributed to the architect Jean-Baptiste Ceineray, and he is built for Jean-Baptiste Mérot, adviser to the parliament of Brittany. The estate, initially large of 24 hectares, is bordered by the Loire and includes a chapel. Its imposing architecture (44 meters long by 8 wide) reflects the social status of its owners, a family of tanners enriched in the 18th century.

The estate changed hands several times before the Revolution: it belonged to André de La Tullaye in 1588, then to Jean Imbert in 1688, before being acquired in 1738 by the Mérots. During the Revolution, the family emigrated, and property was confiscated and returned after damage. The castle played a military role during the two world wars: it housed American soldiers in 1914-1918 and was requisitioned by the German army in 1939-1945, which stored ammunition there and used the chapel as a shooting stand.

Ranked a historic monument in 1983, the castle was restored several times, notably in 1992. Although private since 1986 (owner: Bernard Dugast), he exceptionally opened during the Journées du Patrimoine. In 2015, the construction of a building facing the chapel was criticized for altering the landscape of the estate, causing local controversy over urban decisions.

The descendants of the Mérots retained the estate until 1945, a period marked by successive rehabilitations. Lyrot's family also resides there. Today, the 1.3 hectare park and the building, despite its turbulent history, bear witness to 18th-century civil architecture in Pays de la Loire.

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