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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The mansion of the Belle Jonchère is an emblematic building of towering seigneurial architecture, built around the middle of the 16th century on a site occupied since ancient times. The archaeological excavations revealed the coats of Gallo-Roman pottery, attesting to an ancient occupation, while the first written records date back to 1070 under the name "Grande Jonchère". This fief, originally dependent on the castle of Esvres, was erected as a noble residence by influential families of Tours, reflecting the prestige of the local elites during the Renaissance.

The 16th century marks a period of architectural prosperity in Touraine, brought about by the influence of the Loire castles and the enrichment of urban notables. The main residence, of Renaissance style, is characterized by its two square wings and cylindrical towers, typical of the seigneurial houses of the period. These elements are probably inspired by the now extinct Castle of the Healing, whose beautiful Jonchère would have taken on some stylistic features.

In the 17th century, the manor house underwent significant expansions, including the closure of the court of honour by ancillary buildings and the construction of a mansart guardhouse. These transformations meet the new requirements of comfort and social representation, while the estate passes into the hands of bourgeois families of Tourangelles, such as the Lefebvre or the Ducasse, often linked to municipal or financial charges. The manor house also witnessed economic developments, becoming a farm dependent on the domain of the Healing before regaining its residential status at the end of the twentieth century.

His notable owners include Galiot Mandat, a Tours alderman in the 16th century, or Alexandre Lefebvre de La Faluère, treasurer of France under Louis XIV. These characters illustrate the social ascent of the Tourangelle elites, often mixed with the royal or local administration. In the 19th century, the Drake del Castillo brothers, bought in 1875, preserved the estate until 1925, thus avoiding radical transformations.

The Pigeon Tower, with a diameter of "thirty-three feet" according to the archives of 1776, was partially converted into a chapel in the 19th century, then raised. These adjustments reflect the manor's successive adaptations to the needs of its occupants, between agricultural and residential functions. Heritage recognition took place in 1950 with a partial inscription to historical monuments, covering the most remarkable architectural elements.

Restoration work undertaken at the end of the 20th century enabled the manor house to be restored to its radiance, while adapting it to contemporary use. Today, the Belle Jonchère embodies both the Renaissance heritage of the Touraine and the transformations of a preserved rural heritage.

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