CASTLE OF SILLÉ-LE-GUILLAUME

The seat of an ancient barony of Haut-Maine, the Château de Sillé-le-Guillaume has stood proudly since the 15th century, on the ruins of an 11th-century fortress. With its machicolated tower overlooking the town, this fortified quadrilateral looks like something out of a medieval fairy tale. Guillaume, vassal of the Count of Maine, built it to defend the town against the Normans and Bretons. The château remained in the de Sillé family until the French Revolution.

In the 15th century, the infamous Gilles de Rais, a cousin of the family and companion of Joan of Arc, came to defend the château against the English. The Baron de Sillé, with a touch of nostalgia, had a keep built... which was never used.

In 1684, Louis XIV offered the château to his illegitimate daughter, the Princesse de Conti, known as Madame de La Vallière. The Renaissance gave it a more peaceful appearance, and today it hosts exhibitions, paying tribute to Arsène-Marie Lefeuvre, creator of the Bébé Cadum, and Léon Besnardeau, inventor of the illustrated postcard.

In 2024, the château is getting a facelift! The 17th-century East Logis is in serious structural disarray. A vast 2.25 million euro project has been launched to renovate the roof, woodwork and masonry. Admission fees and donations to the Fondation du Patrimoine will help bring this historic treasure back to life. A small gesture that will ensure this great piece of heritage continues to shine for generations to come!