Logis du Lion-d'Angers
MonumentHidden Treasure
Logis du Lion-d'Angers, located in Le Lion-d'Angers (Maine-et-Loire), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Le Lion-d'Angers, Maine-et-Loire, Pays de la Loire
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 47.6495, -0.7206
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00109150
Au cœur du Lion-d'Angers, ce logis ancré dans la tradition angevine déploie quatre siècles d'architecture domestique, du sobre décor Renaissance aux remaniements classiques, témoignage rare d'une demeure bourgeoise inscrite aux Monuments Historiques.
History
Nestling in the small town of Le Lion-d'Angers, on the borders of Maine-et-Loire and Mayenne, this dwelling discreetly embodies the art of living of the Angevin bourgeoisie over four centuries of continuous history. Far from the spectacular châteaux that line the Loire, it offers the discerning eye something more intimate and more precious: the accumulated imprint of the generations that have inhabited, transformed and embellished it, each according to the tastes and means of their time. What makes this building unique is precisely its continuity. Originally designed in the 16th century in the sober style typical of Anjou domestic architecture - white tufa, sculpted dormer windows, slate roof - it has survived the centuries without ever being abandoned or radically transformed. Each era has left its mark: a classical 17th-century portal, an 18th-century wing, and 19th-century interior fittings that bear witness to the continuing affluence of the bourgeoisie. For those who know how to look, the experience of a visit is that of an architectural palimpsest. The façades reveal finely-worked tufa stone joints, Renaissance crossettes and more severe modenatures, like a stone book in which the successive fashions and ambitions of its owners can be read. The surrounding greenery, typical of the homes of the region's notables, reinforces this feeling of suspended time. Le Lion-d'Angers, a town crossed by the River Oudon and renowned for its national stud farm, is also an ideal setting in which to discover this modest but authentic heritage. Set between the bocage of the Mayenne and the gentle countryside of Angers, this dwelling is part of an area rich in manor houses and maisons de maître, which form the little-known backbone of Maine-et-Loire's rural heritage.
Architecture
The logis du Lion-d'Angers is part of the architectural tradition of Anjou at its most characteristic: a sober façade enlivened by carefully crafted details. Tuffeau, the luminous white limestone quarried in the region, is the dominant material on the elevations, giving the building the light tone so typical of Anjou. The steeply pitched Anjou slate roofs complement the traditional blue-grey and white colour palette. The composition of the facades reveals successive stratifications: Renaissance-style dormers with crossettes or triangular pediments coexist with more regular bays from the classical period. The carefully moulded window surrounds bear witness to the care taken with the stonework. A gateway with pilasters or an arched doorway probably marks the entrance to the street with the discreet elegance typical of this type of provincial residence. Inside, the rooms were probably originally laid out around a spiral staircase or a straight stairwell with balusters, as was the fashion in the 17th or 18th centuries. The sculpted fireplaces, antique wide-plank floors and wood panelling in the reception rooms are all features that have forged the interior identity of this dwelling over the centuries. Together, they form a rare and coherent example of the domestic architecture of the Anjou bourgeoisie.
Related Figures
Propriétaires bourgeois angevins des XVIe-XVIIe siècles (marchands ou officiers de justice, bâtisseurs présumés du corps principal)Familles de notables du Lion-d'Angers ayant occupé le logis aux XVIIIe et XIXe sièclesArchitecte des Bâtiments de France ayant instruit le dossier d'inscription MH en 1986Représentants du service régional de l'Inventaire des Pays de la Loire
Tags
Nearby castles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Logis du Lion-d'Angers located?
Logis du Lion-d'Angers is located in Le Lion-d'Angers, Maine-et-Loire department, Pays de la Loire region, France.
When was Logis du Lion-d'Angers built?
Logis du Lion-d'Angers dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Logis du Lion-d'Angers open to visitors?
Logis du Lion-d'Angers is currently closed to visitors.
