Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Launay Castle, located in Suce-sur-Erdre in the Pays de la Loire, has its origins in the 15th century. In 1471 it was built on land belonging to the bishop of Nantes for John of Perray. This first building marks the beginning of a history linked to local noble families, reflecting the political and religious dynamics of the period in Brittany.

In the 16th and 17th centuries, the castle changed hands several times. Acquired by François de La Henriays in 1573, it was then sold to Olivier de Carheil in 1609. These transactions illustrate the changes in land ownership among the aristocracy, often linked to alliances or economic strategies in a region then marked by the wars of Religion.

The eighteenth century is a turbulent period for the castle. In 1793, during the Vendée War, Jean Pinard, a revolutionary, seized and burned after he served as a weapons depot for the Vendéens. This episode reflects the violence of the French Revolution and the local political divisions. The castle was finally restored in 1803, reflecting a desire for reconstruction after the disturbances.

Recognized for its heritage importance, Launay Castle was listed as a historic monument in 1967. This protection concerns in particular its facades and roofs, thus preserving an architectural and historical example of the Pays de la Loire, marked by centuries of turbulent history.

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