Château de la Chevallerie

Deep in the South of the Vendée on the southern edge of the Lucon-Fontenay Plaine lies the Château de la Chevallerie. It has occupied this spot for over one thousand years, having originally been an  encampment of a tribe of Pictons hidden amongst the tree cover land. Later during the X11 century it came under the "Order of Templiers" and was given the name "Chevallerie".
During the Hundred Years War the property was sometimes occupied by the French and sometimes by the English. La Chavallerie was finally seized by Pierre Boschet, l'Hotel du President du Paris, guard of the seals-minister of King Charles V at the end of the X1V century. It was sold a century later to the Foucher family and then in 1515 passed to Francoise de Marconnay and then through successive generations during the XV1 century.
It suffered badly during the Wars of Religion being acquired by the Seigneur Venant Babin in 1705 then passed on to his son in 1725. It was at this time that the Hostel Noble was constructed which is what we see today. After the Revolution the property was sold by the Empire and was bought by Henry Ranfray de la Bajonniere and under the ownership of his family was systematically dismantled and used as a granary. In 1875 the vast estate was sold off in 25 lots and it was not until its present owner bought it in 2004 that the restoration started.
The Château is unique in that the two court yards are perfectly symmetrical and there is a balance and grace to the whole layout.
Today you can visit this unique site and tour the exterior and some of the buildings. It is open from July to the 5th September and Journées du Patrimoine on the third weekend in September. The entrance fee is €4. 

Photo Gallery of the Chateau de la Chevallerie





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