Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château Marie, located in Vitré in the department of Ille-et-Vilaine, is a 17th century building built on the initiative of Marie de La Tour d'Auvergne, wife of Henri de La Tremeille, Baron of Vitré. It is distinguished by its brick and stone architecture, with a large central building flanked by two pavilions. The first floor ceiling beams, decorated with the arms of its founders, have been classified since 1921, while the facades and roofs have been inscribed since 1939.

The castle welcomed personalities such as Madame de Sévigné, who came to visit the princess of Taranto, Émilie de Hesse-Cassel, widow of Henri-Charles de La Tremeille. After the revocation of the edict of Nantes, it was transformed into a farm following the exile of the Vitrean aristocracy. In the 19th century, additional wings were added, sheltering stables and garages for the national Haras.

In the 20th century, the castle became the seat of a football club, the Amicale sportif de Vitré, before being bought in 2021 by Vitré Communauté. Rehabilitation work is planned by 2027, including the destruction of old garages to build a new wing, while reusing original materials. The central body and stables will also be restored.

The monument illustrates the evolution of the use of an aristocratic castle from noble residence to public and administrative space. Its painted ceiling and protected facades testify to its heritage importance in Brittany.

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