Manoir de la Coudraye
ManorHidden Treasure
Manoir de la Coudraye, located in Joué-lès-Tours (Indre-et-Loire), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- Manor
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Joué-lès-Tours, Indre-et-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 47.3190, 0.6261
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00097791
On the outskirts of Tours, the elegant triangular pediment façade of the Manoir de la Coudraye is set between corner pavilions and wooded parkland - a discreet jewel of Touraine classicism listed as a Historic Monument.
© Wikimedia Commons / Wikipedia
History
Nestling in the commune of Joué-lès-Tours, on the southern fringes of the Touraine urban area, the Manoir de la Coudraye is one of those buildings full of character that epitomise the gentle way of life typical of the Loire Valley. Far from the grandiloquence of the region's great royal châteaux, it is a precious and intimate example of classical seigneurial architecture from the 17th century, enriched by contributions from the Romantic period. What immediately sets La Coudraye apart is the skilful balance of its composition. The ensemble forms a coherent enclosure, punctuated by two square pavilions at the northern corners, framed by a semi-circular doorway that provides a solemn entrance to the parklands. The main building is striking for the clarity of its central bay, crowned by a triangular pediment supported by pilasters - an architectural language directly inherited from the great French classical tradition. The tour reveals a building designed as much for function as for representation. The ground floor, given over to cellars and utility rooms, bears witness to a well-thought-out domestic organisation, while the double stone staircase with its symmetrical banisters, accessible from each facade, lends a certain dignity to the whole. The wings added in the 19th century, extending the building to the east and west, blend in discreetly, a sign of a project that respects the spirit of the place. The surrounding parkland adds a soothing green dimension to the whole. The tall trees, meticulous landscaping and relative silence make this a haven of serenity on the outskirts of the city, ideal for heritage lovers in search of authenticity away from the crowds. The light of Touraine, so dear to painters, bathes the blond stones of the manor house at all hours of the day, giving it a golden hue that is particularly photogenic in the late afternoon.
Architecture
The Manoir de la Coudraye is in the tradition of 17th-century French classical architecture as it was developed in Touraine, a region where the white tufa stone gives the buildings a remarkable lightness and luminosity. The overall layout, organised as an enclosure, features a main building flanked by two square pavilions at the northern corners, all introduced by a semi-circular doorway that solemnly marks the entrance to the estate from the north. The main facade is the architectural showpiece of the manor house. Its slightly projecting central bay is topped by a triangular pediment supported by pilasters, a motif borrowed directly from the classical repertoire of ancient inspiration. This vertical articulation gives the façade a balanced ternary rhythm and a clear hierarchy of volumes. The ground floor, used for domestic purposes - storerooms, utility rooms - is served by a central corridor accessible from each facade by a stone staircase with a symmetrical double banister, a feature that is both functional and representative, underlining the care taken in the overall composition. The wings added in the 19th century, which extend the building to the east and west, have a sober, rhythmic design that respects the order of the central body. The roof, rebuilt around the same period, probably follows a low-pitched profile typical of Second Empire or Third Republic alterations. Constructed from local ashlar, the building's meticulous finish reflects the high standards demanded by those who commissioned its construction.
Related Figures
Propriétaire bâtisseur du XVIIe siècle (vraisemblablement officier royal ou notable tourangeau, identité non établie)Propriétaire du XIXe siècle ayant commandité les extensions et la réfection de toitureInspecteur des Monuments Historiques ayant instruit le dossier d'inscription de 1948
Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Manoir de la Coudraye located?
Manoir de la Coudraye is located in Joué-lès-Tours, Indre-et-Loire department, Centre-Val de Loire region, France.
When was Manoir de la Coudraye built?
Manoir de la Coudraye dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Manoir de la Coudraye open to visitors?
Manoir de la Coudraye is currently closed to visitors.