Manoir de la Cour Condé
ManorHidden Treasure
Manoir de la Cour Condé, located in Chênehutte-Trèves-Cunault (Maine-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
- Chênehutte-Trèves-Cunault, Maine-et-Loire, Pays de la Loire
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 47.3213, -0.1861
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00109383
Élégant manoir angevin des XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles, la Cour Condé déploie ses façades de tuffeau blanc au cœur du Val de Loire, alliance rare entre sobriété classique et grâce ligérienne.
History
Nestling in the Val d'Anjou, between the calm waters of the Loire and hillsides planted with vines, the Manoir de la Cour Condé is the perfect embodiment of the gentle architecture typical of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Far from the ostentation of the great royal residences, it develops a restrained elegance, that of the house of a notable Angevin concerned with comfort as much as prestige. Its tufa stone facades - the white stone so characteristic of the Loire Valley, soft when cut and luminous in the summer sun - give it an almost mineral clarity, enhanced by the sobriety of its classical lines. What distinguishes the Cour Condé from simple rural residences is the continuity of its construction phases: built in the seventeenth century, the manor house was rebuilt and enriched in the eighteenth century, in a harmonious dialogue between two stylistic periods. This gentle layering, with no sharp breaks, bears witness to the enduring prosperity of its owners and their sense of architectural moderation, a cardinal virtue in Anjou. To visit the Cour Condé is to immerse yourself in the intimacy of a residence that never sought to impose but to seduce. The proportions of the main buildings, the moulded window frames, the dark slate roofs contrasting with the white walls: every detail invites contemplation rather than spectacular admiration. The landscaped setting, with its farm outbuildings, walled gardens and location between plateau and valley, completes a picture of provincial seigneurial life of rare authenticity. The commune of Chênehutte-Trèves-Cunault, in which the manor house is located, is itself a major heritage site: the Cunault abbey church, a Romanesque masterpiece, the Trèves priory and the troglodyte dwellings on the hillsides form an exceptional ensemble that enhances any visit to the area. The Cour Condé fits naturally into this area steeped in history, offering the curious visitor a vivid insight into the art of living in Anjou in the modern era.
Architecture
The Cour Condé manor house is a representative example of rural civil architecture in Anjou in the 17th and 18th centuries, based almost exclusively on the use of tuffeau, a slightly creamy white limestone extracted from quarries dug into the slopes of the Loire valley. This material, which is easy to carve, is used to create finely moulded frames, discreet floor bands and neat architraves that distinguish the manor house from a simple farmhouse without giving it the scale of a château. The roof, covered in Anjou blue slate, creates the dark-light contrast so typical of the Loire landscape. The general layout is organised around a two-storey main building - a raised ground floor and a square first floor - flanked by agricultural outbuildings and outbuildings forming a semi-enclosed courtyard for traditional domestic use. The facades feature a symmetrical composition inherited from French classicism: regular bays, small-paned moulded windows, stone dormers topped with simple pediments piercing the slate roof. The 18th-century additions can be seen in the greater height of the windows and the lighter profiles, reflecting Louis XV's taste for light and airy volumes. Inside, carved tufa mantelpieces, solid oak floors and staircases with wrought iron or turned wood banisters are typical of Anjou residences of this standing. The estate probably retains traces of its original agricultural layout: the farmyard, dovecote, well and walled gardens are the expected features, forming a coherent whole that justifies its dual protection as a Historic Monument.
Related Figures
Propriétaires angevins du XVIIe siècle (famille fondatrice non identifiée, vraisemblablement noblesse d'épée ou bourgeoisie d'offices)Maîtres d'œuvre locaux du XVIIe siècle (tailleurs de tuffeau et maçons de la vallée de la Loire)Propriétaires du XVIIIe siècle (commanditaires des agrandissements et modernisations)Conservateurs des Monuments Historiques ayant instruit le dossier de protection en 1974
Tags
Nearby castles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Manoir de la Cour Condé located?
Manoir de la Cour Condé is located in Chênehutte-Trèves-Cunault, Maine-et-Loire department, Pays de la Loire region, France.
When was Manoir de la Cour Condé built?
Manoir de la Cour Condé dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Manoir de la Cour Condé open to visitors?
Manoir de la Cour Condé is currently closed to visitors.
