Ref.4055: EXCEPTIONAL 15th century MANOR CLASS HISTORICAL MONUMENT IN SARTHE.

The manor is built in the Sarthe countryside in a peaceful and pleasant site about one kilometer from the village which provides the first services (bakery, grocery store). It is accessed from this village by a small road on which takes a dirt path which leads to the property. Le Mans, a dynamic university town 20 km away, offers cultural life and all transport facilities. This region has become a refuge for Parisians in need of space but nevertheless wishing to easily reach the capital. In addition, the proximity of the motorway star that constitutes the A28 (Rouen-Bordeaux), A11 (Paris-Nantes), A81 (Paris-Rennes) motorways offers easy opportunities for escape or gathering with family and friends.

In-depth historical research, carried out at the initiative of the owners, made it possible to retrace the history of this building which was the center of an important lordship until the French Revolution.
Belonging to the ancient province of Maine, the estate was originally a protected site, surrounded by marshes which man transformed into arable land which gradually constituted a vast seigniorial reserve around the manor.
In 1261, a first mention of the place was made in an act passed between the chapter of the cathedral church of Saint-Julien du Mans and Jean de Luminier, in the presence of the suzerain of the fief of the same name.
In 1393, Jeanne Cordeau, heir to the fief, married Olivier I Moreau to whom she brought her domain as a dowry.
In 1417, Olivier II Moreau married Agnès du Pont-Aubevoye. Their son Olivier III married, firstly in 1438, Julienne de la Baussonnière then, secondly in 1453, Ambroise du Bouchet. Their eldest son, John I, became lord of the place. Although no author comments on this subject, the construction of the current manor could take place in this period of the third quarter of the 15th century.
However, it is possible that it was built by Jean I after his marriage in 1469. After his union in 1545 with Louise de Féchal, François I Moreau, grandson of Jean I, was summoned to prove that he was an officer of the King , man-at-arms in the company of the lord of Lude.
Successive recognitions from the Kings of France encouraged him to enlarge his residence and build a new oratory. For four centuries, the manor remained in the family of the first owner, Jeanne Cordeau, and did not undergo any significant transformation. François II Moreau married in 1571. He lost his estate in 1597 but bought it back almost immediately thanks to the sale of part of his land.
He had his titles of knighthood confirmed in 1622. The manor then passed to his son François III Moreau who transmitted it to his son René Moreau who was registered in 1689 as ban and rear ban of the seneschal of the Maine.
His son, Félix, inherited the estate and then passed it on to his son, Charles Félix.
When he died, apparently in poverty and after a life of debauchery, in 1787, the manor was passed on to his sister who had married Louis-Joseph de Cacquerai de Beauclos. Their children sold the estate at the beginning of the 19th century to neighboring owners. In 1804, the Cailleau family became owners.
Their last heiress left the estate to her niece, Madame de La Vigerie, on her death in 1880. In 1895, the estate was divided and sold to farmers, the Le Breton then Pasquier families. Having then become a simple agricultural operation, the manor reached the 20th century in very poor condition but with all its original authenticity, which allowed the current owners, with the help of historical monuments, to carry out an exceptional restoration.

The Poissonnière manor, typical of Gothic architecture from the end of the 15th century, is protected by a moat which is crossed by a stone and wood bridge.
The main facade of the manor, facing east, is flanked by an octagonal turret which encloses the stone spiral staircase.
Three bays of large mullioned bays topped with high dormer windows illuminate this facade. The structural work has benefited from a very careful and complete restoration.
The interior remains to be fitted out. The exterior coating reveals in places roussard stones of which this manor is built. It is established on a rectangular plan 25.5 meters long and 9.5 meters wide and has two levels (approximately 200 m² each) of three large main rooms topped by high attics.
These rooms are decorated with monumental stone fireplaces and lit by large bay windows with cushions (stone benches). The ceilings are in French oak. Interesting and elegant stone sculptures remain. A tower attached to the south gable of the house shelters a vaulted chapel with a ribbed crossing.
This chapel, which dates from the 16th century, has preserved interesting frescoes. The whole presents an impressive architectural quality, all the decorative elements which could be saved have been restored.

Outbuildings dating from the 17th century frame the courtyard housing:
– a very comfortable, carefully restored house serving as a home for the owners during the restoration of the manor.
It includes: .
On the ground floor: a large tiled living room with kitchen, utility room, toilet, hand basin. .
Upstairs: 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms with shower and toilet. One of which forms a suite with its dressing room and office space. This accommodation is extended by a large space currently used as a barn (90 m²) and workshop, the conversion of which into a home had been envisaged by the owners.
Facing the house, a pretty building houses the boiler room, 2 large sheds (20 and 29 m²), a garage (33 m²). – Various buildings used as sheds.

With a surface area of ​​12 ha 78 to 14 ca and crossed by a stream, the land provides the manor with a pleasant environment. The woodlands of various species (approximately 5 ha), the courtyard with its moat, its meadows which can accommodate horses (approximately 3 ha), offer places with varied atmospheres, which, with the surrounding countryside, constitute a beautiful setting for this architectural jewel .