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Origin and history

The Manor of the Ligneries, located in Charentilly in Indre-et-Loire, is a 15th and 16th century building. Originally a simple home, it was converted into a strong house under Louis XII, with moat, towers and cannons. The body of brick and stone houses, partially redesigned in the 16th century, retains defensive elements such as a cylindrical escape and a turret worn by a cul-de-lampe. The estate, owned by local notables (canonies, royal officers), was deeply restored in the 19th century by Phidias Vestier for the Moisant family.

Over the centuries, the mansion changed hands several times: from the Canons of Tours like Pierre Blondelet (1504) to royal officers such as Macé Marchant (1526), notary of the Queen, or Claude Marchant (1592), treasurer of the Prince of Nevers. In 1674 he passed to Chauvereau, treasurer of the Turkishies and raised. The estate was acquired in 1829 by Charles Moisant, Mayor of Charentilly, who had the old mansion restored between 1840 and 1855 and built nearby the Château de Poillé in 1838. A new castle was added in 1887 for the family of Renusson.

The manor house, surrounded by an 89-hectare park, was listed as a historical monument on 6 March 1947 for its facades, tower, interior staircase and escape. Protected elements also include the entrance door and the southwest corner tower. Its architecture combines medieval remains (canonières, moats) with Renaissance additions and 19th century restorations, illustrating its evolution throughout the eras.

Archaeological sources, such as the studies of Gael Carré and Emmanuel Litoux (2002), highlight his transition from a typical 15th century low-room house to a fortified mansion. The concession of Louis XII allowed for its defensive strengthening, while subsequent changes, notably those of Phidias Vestier, adapted the building to the tastes of the 19th century, while preserving its historical character.

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