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Origin and history

Mayenne's courthouse was built in the mid-19th century to meet the needs of local justice. In 1840, judicial actors, such as the civil court prosecutor, denounced the precarious conditions of their work, some of which were held even in private homes. After several years of discussion, the Parisian architect Édouard Moll was chosen in 1843 to lead the project, which eventually included the civil court and the commercial court. Despite unsuccessful auctions, the work was entrusted in 1848 to Mr. Guérin, under the direction of Moll, and ended in 1853, at a cost of 186 095.93 francs.

The building houses the courts until 1992, when a new courthouse was built to replace the site deemed unsuitable. In 1994, its façade and roofs were listed as historical monuments, avoiding demolition. Disused, the building was put on sale in 2005 for 120,000 euros, but the mayor of Mayenne gave it up. Several conversion projects are envisaged, such as a legal city or offices, while its basements house a night bar, Le Justice, in 2010.

Between 2016 and 2019, major rehabilitation works transformed the old palace into a lively hub of the city centre. Around a bright patio, there is an oyster bar, a restaurant and a craft cannery, making this a friendly meeting place. This reconversion illustrates the adaptation of the historical heritage to contemporary needs, while preserving its original architecture.

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