Château de la Motte-Husson, Martigné-sur-Mayenne, France

The Château de la Motte-Husson is a Neo-Renaissance style château. From the 12th to 14th centuries, the site of the château was located within the parish of La Motte and was a fortified stronghold.

The castle was rebuilt in the enclosure of the old square moat in the 17th century. It consisted of a kitchen, cellar, 4 or 5 bedrooms per top, attic above, a chapel, a portal for a drawbridge, a bedroom on the said portal, a dovecote, on the whole, covered with slates, behind a small courtyard, ditches and moats around the courtyards, a kennel near the gate.

The current façade is reflective of the efforts of Countess Louise-Dorothée de Baglion de la Dufferie (1826–1902), who told her husband that she wanted a grand residence built on the site of the fort. The new structure would be flanked by two large towers, known as 'pepper shakers', and with a double-ramped staircase, five floors and 47 rooms with separate private suites for Master and Lady, with servant quarters on the second floor and attic space. The château is surrounded by the old square moat, with a walled garden, stable-block, an orangery, and 4.9 ha of parkland.

References:

Wikipedia

User Reviews

Andy Bland (2 years ago)
Made the detour driving back to the UK from southern Spain. It ticked a box to see the Chateau in all its glory. What a fantastic building and grounds. Great to see the results of all that hard work in the flesh (so to speak). Nice touch from the family in creating a viewing area to take photos, also to provide postcards (I think designed by Angel) as a thank you for visiting. I wish the Strawbridges every success with their future endeavors.

Alan Coalter (2 years ago)
Just wanted to stop for a photo. Well worth a detour. Entrance just off side of a quiet enough road so we parked on roadside due to towing a caravan but small parking area suitable for 2 or 3 cars just inside the gates. No one else there on our visit. Beautiful little postcards left for visitors to take as a souvenir. Amazing to see the chateau in all its beautiful glory. Highly recommended just as a memory!

Olly Knight (2 years ago)
I visited Chateau de la Motte Husson for the first time in May for a wedding. The place is beautiful and I was so impressed by the main chateau, the gardens and the decor inside was really quirky. Our two lovely hosts were very kind, accommodating and warm towards us. They were very down to earth and worked really hard to make sure the Bride and Groom had the best day. Here are some images I took at the wedding and I hope to come back and photograph here again! Olly (Olly Knight Photography)

Gary Bell (2 years ago)
We was invited by Dick and Angel from the tour we watched. On our arrival we were greeted by a lovely lady to attend to our need for parking. We then made our way to the chateau entrance where we then met them. They laid drinks and desserts on for us which was just amazing. We had a tour of their home by themselves and then we were allowed a tour of the grounds by ourselves. I'm so grateful they opened their home up to us and showed us around and they made us so welcome. Dick and Angel were very polite towards us and treated us like we have been friends for years. This maybe only a one off opportunity but if they did say we could go back I wouldn't think twice, we'll be there. The drive from the UK to France and surroundings was nearly touching 1300 mile which was worth every mile. Great work Dick and Angel and everyone involved and hopefully we'll see you back on our screens soon. Thank you

Fraser McCarthy (2 years ago)
An outstanding experience dick and angel were very welcoming and great hosts. All the staff were lovely and very helpful.

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