Construction of the mansion 4e quart XVIe siècle - XVIIe siècle (≈ 1687)
Period of construction of the Renaissance mansion.
2 juin 1970
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 2 juin 1970 (≈ 1970)
Protection of facades and roofs.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Facades and roofs (Case C2 290): inscription by order of 2 June 1970
Key figures
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The source text does not mention any names.
Origin and history
The Chape mansion is an iconic Renaissance building built between the 4th quarter of the 16th and 17th centuries. Located in Fontaine-Guérin (Maine-et-Loire), it is distinguished by its typical architecture, with stained glass windows, large fireplaces and tomettes from the 16th century. Surrounded by moat, it bears witness to an ancient occupation, dating back to the Neolithic, as attested by a dolmen today destroyed. Originally, the estate spanned 200 hectares, later divided into 8 fences.
The mansion illustrates the evolution of the Angelian manors of the Renaissance, combining defensive elements (douves) and residential comfort (monstrous roads, stained glass). Its inscription in the Historic Monuments in 1970 (decree of 2 June) protects its facades and roofs, emphasizing its heritage importance. The site, located 28 metres above sea level, is 38 metres long by 13 metres wide, reflecting the seigneurial architecture of the time.
The region of the Pays de la Loire, and more particularly Anjou, was marked by prosperous agriculture and a local nobility. Manor houses like Chape served as administrative and residential centers for lords, while symbolizing their economic and social power. Their preservation today offers a tangible testimony of this pivotal period between the Middle Ages and the modern era.
