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Origin and history

The Château de Montaupin, located in Oizé in the Sarthe region Pays de la Loire, is a monument whose origins date back to the 11th and 12th centuries, with a 15th century turret still visible today. Originally, it was a feudal castle built by the De Montaupin family to defend the region against invasions. Over the centuries, it was transformed into a noble residence, especially in the 15th century, and played a strategic role during medieval wars. Legend has it that a knight from Montaupin protected the village from an enemy attack.

In the 18th century, the castle was rebuilt at the site of the former fortress, incorporating elements from the 17th and 19th centuries. Only the turret, two cellars and the crypt of the old chapel of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine, dated the 15th century, remain from the medieval period. A twin turret was destroyed in the early twentieth century. The estate, now listed as a built heritage, has undergone numerous architectural transformations and changes of owners, especially during the French Revolution, where a part was burned.

The castle belonged to several noble families, including the Du Bouchet (14th-15th centuries), the D-Aubigné (15th-15th centuries), and the Le Roy (17th-15th centuries). During the Second World War, his crypt served as a refuge for a Polish Jewish family, Chinda Laja Nadanowski and her two daughters, hidden to escape Nazi persecution. The crypt, the vestige of the chapel built in 1407, is the only intact element of this time.

In the 19th century, the castle changed hands several times, notably after its sale in 1827 to Count Ambroise de La Porte de la Thébaudière de Sainte-Gemme, mayor of Oizé. It also served as a cantonment for American soldiers during the First World War (1917). In the 20th century, it was acquired by the Mary family, then by the Ferré and David families, before being renovated in 2021 by the Fadel family, which now operates guest rooms there.

The castle park, extending over more than one hectare, houses a five-year-old thuya, introduced in France by naturalist Pierre Belon. This park, rich in fruit trees and exotic plants, reflects the botanical and historical heritage of the site. The chapel, in ruins since the First World War, and its crypt recall the religious and humanitarian importance of the site throughout the centuries.

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