Château de Montgeoffroy

The Montgeoffroy Castle is located near the French village Mazé in the department of Maine -et -Loire. The building and the original interior survived the French Revolution and the subsequent turmoil thanks kinship protection without damage. The visitor will win an authentic impression of the life of the nobility on a country castle in the late 18th century.

History

Louis -Georges- de Contades Erasme was the field marshal and governor of Alsace, before retiring from active service at the age of 68 years. In 1772 he began, according to the plans of the Parisian architect Jean Benoît Vincent Barré on the original medieval manor at Mazé, which his ancestors had acquired in 1676, with the construction of his retirement seat. The chapel and two round towers, which limit the farm buildings were taken over from the previous 16th-century castle.

The ongoing construction work until 1776 were supervised by the Marshal 's eldest son, who logged their progress continuously. So can still understand where the building material herstammte and how the transport vonstattenging. The performers were mostly craftsmen from the region, and the local farmers helped with transport.

Architecture

The early classical main building is zweieinhalbgeschossig and has a central projection, the triangular gable as a single sculptural decoration on the whole castle shows the coat of arms Contades. Two short side wings before jumping, and two recessed low pavilions provide for the merger of the main building with the stables, coach houses and the chapel side of the court.

The Chapel of the previous building was erected in 1543 for Guillaume de La Grandière. A stained glass window from the time represents the adoration of Christ, crowned by God the Father. In the stable building on the other side of the court a collection of old carriages and trip car can be seen. The Round Tower is a luxurious, paneled with fir wood tack room.

The property opens up to its lands. Two flat-roofed pavilions and a magnificent gate limits, connected by walls, the castle district against the fields from. Three formerly the castle leading avenues were aligned radially.

Interior

The estate is still inhabited by the family de Contades. The living rooms are on the ground. The main suite with large living room is located on the south side of the courtyard. The suite of rooms for the ladies of the house, which is followed by a large oval dining room, situated on the park side. The present equipment of the premises, that is, fireplace, andirons, sconces, the goldbronzenen lanterns, the various seating, the Console, pendulum clock and barometer on the wall, are already listed in the inventory of 1775.