Initial construction XVe siècle (≈ 1550)
Presumed period of foundation of the priory.
19 avril 1974
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 19 avril 1974 (≈ 1974)
Protection of facades, roofs and interior staircase.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Façades and roofs, as well as the inside staircase (Box AB 37): inscription by order of 19 April 1974
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
Sources insufficient to identify historical actors.
Origin and history
The Priory Saint-Augustin de Rouessé-Fontaine is a former religious building located in the department of Sarthe, east of the village of Rouessé-Fontaine, near the church of Saint Hermes. Built mainly in the 15th, 18th and 20th centuries, it bears witness to an evolutionary architecture marked by successive transformations. Its facades, roofs and interior staircase were listed as historic monuments on 19 April 1974, highlighting their heritage value.
The priory, today private property and closed to the public, retains a precise location: 7 Rue du Presbytère, in the commune of Rouessé-Fontaine. Although little documented about its detailed historical use, its inclusion in the Merimée base and its status as a Historic Monument confirm its importance in the local heritage. The region of Pays de la Loire, marked by a strong religious presence in the Middle Ages, had many priories as spiritual and economic centres for rural communities.
The absence of detailed sources on the founders or major events related to this priory limits the knowledge of its exact role. However, Augustinian priories, such as that of Rouessé-Fontaine, were generally places of prayer, reception and land management, integrated into the medieval monastic network. Their architecture often reflected adaptation to local needs, combining religious functions and agricultural or artisanal practices.
