Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The house and the chapel of the Audrière, located in Saint-Mesmin (Vendée), constitute an ancient seigneurial ensemble whose origins date back to the 15th and 16th centuries. The house body, partially preserved in its original state, bears witness to medieval residential architecture, while the rectangular chapel illustrates the stylistic influences of the Renaissance. Its cylindrical foothills, one of which houses a staircase, and its finely designed portal make it a remarkable example of religious art of the time.

The seigneury of the Audrière was attested in 1577 as property of René de Tallensac, married to Marie du Puy-du-Fou. This noble couple embodies the local aristocracy of the late 16th century, a period marked by religious wars and social transformations. The chapel, vaulted with ivy, combines late Gothic elements and Renaissance decorations, reflecting the artistic transitions of the period. Together, protected since 1988, offers a glimpse of seigneurial life in the Pays de la Loire.

Ranked Historic Monument by order of 6 June 1988, the site includes the house and chapel (cadastre A 941, 946). Its state of conservation allows us to study the architectural evolutions between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, as well as the role of seigneuries in the territorial organization. The location, although documented (5169 L'Audrière, 85700 Saint-Mesmin), remains approximate according to available sources, with a map accuracy estimated at 6/10.

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