Manoir de la Marsaulaie
ManorHidden Treasure
Manoir de la Marsaulaie, located in Saint-Mathurin-sur-Loire (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
- Saint-Mathurin-sur-Loire, Maine-et-Loire, Pays de la Loire
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 47.4194, -0.3453
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00109283
Nestling in the heart of the Val d'Anjou, the Renaissance and classical elegance of the Manoir de la Marsaulaie overlooks the Loire, a discreet and refined testimony to the seigneurial lifestyle of the 16th and 17th centuries.
History
Along the banks of the Loire in Anjou, between the gentle hillsides and alluvial meadows of Saint-Mathurin-sur-Loire, the Manoir de la Marsaulaie stands out as one of those secret gems that the Loire Valley has in store for curious travellers. Listed as a Historic Monument since 1972, it is the perfect embodiment of the Anjou gentleman's manor tradition: sober in its lines, but with an intrinsic elegance that only reveals itself to those who take the time to observe it. In contrast to the sumptuous châteaux that dot the Loire Valley, La Marsaulaie is seductive in its restraint and authenticity. Built over two centuries between the Renaissance and Classical eras, it bears witness to the architectural developments typical of Anjou's provincial nobility, who followed Parisian fashions while imbuing them with a local character marked by the sobriety of white tufa stone. This limestone quarried from the cliffs of the Loire gives the manor its light tones, so characteristic of Maine-et-Loire architecture. Visiting the manor house is like immersing yourself in the intimacy of a seigniorial estate that has remained untouched by large crowds. The outbuildings, farm outbuildings and main building make up a coherent whole that evokes the workings of an Ancien Régime noble farm. Lovers of vernacular architecture will find much to admire here, from the details of the joinery to the Angers slate roofs. The natural setting adds to the appeal of the site: set in the plain of the Loire, the manor house benefits from the Loire landscape, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where changing skies and lush vegetation create ever-changing scenes. The soft, diffused Anjou light magnifies the tufa stone façades at any time of day.
Architecture
La Marsaulaie manor house is typical of 16th and 17th century Anjou manor houses: a rectangular main building flanked by outbuildings, all arranged around an enclosed or semi-enclosed courtyard opening onto the farmland. The walls are probably made of tuffeau, a soft, white to golden-coloured limestone quarried in the Loire Valley and widely used in Anjou and Touraine architecture for its ease of cutting and luminous appearance. The roof, typical of regional buildings, is covered in blue-grey slate from the slate quarries of Angers and Trélazé, whose production supplied all the noble and middle-class buildings of the Loire Valley. The architectural elements of the Renaissance period - probably the oldest - are distinguished by pedimented dormers, moulded window surrounds and sculpted details that bear witness to the spread of Italian forms in 16th-century Anjou. The 17th-century campaign introduced more regularity into the composition of the facades, with more strictly ordered bays and pavilion roofs that recall the influence of French classical architecture. Despite the chronological duality of its construction, the building as a whole forms a coherent unit, with successive master builders ensuring harmony of volumes and materials.
Related Figures
Famille seigneuriale angevine fondatrice du manoir au XVIe siècle (identité non établie avec certitude)Maître maçon angevin du XVIe siècle, auteur du premier corps de logis RenaissancePropriétaire réformateur du XVIIe siècle, commanditaire de l'agrandissement classiqueAdministrateur révolutionnaire ayant géré le bien national entre 1793 et 1800Famille bourgeoise du XIXe siècle, gardienne du domaine pendant la période romantiqueInspecteur des Monuments Historiques ayant instruit le dossier d'inscription en 1972
Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Manoir de la Marsaulaie located?
Manoir de la Marsaulaie is located in Saint-Mathurin-sur-Loire, Maine-et-Loire department, Pays de la Loire region, France.
When was Manoir de la Marsaulaie built?
Manoir de la Marsaulaie dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Manoir de la Marsaulaie open to visitors?
Manoir de la Marsaulaie is currently closed to visitors.