General & History
This property comfortably sleeps 16 in the château and two in the guest house. Enjoy the large swimming pool, explore the many castles of the Loire Valley, and return to your own private chateau each night. The chateau is in exquisite condition and is decorated with a combination of contemporary and period style furnishings. Each bedroom has its own en-suite bathroom.
The castle is situated on 36 acres of secluded property in Sarthe and is adjacent to Lombron, a charming village of 1,800 inhabitants, near Le Mans in the Valley of the Loire Region. The property includes beautiful tree-lined paths, an orchard, and a one and a half-acre lake. It is surrounded by a picturesque moat. A stone bridge crosses the moat and there is a pavilion, a pigeonnier and stables. Pastoral views of the moat and pond can be enjoyed from the very large tiled terrace. The narrow peninsula between the moat and the lake is a particularly pleasant place to relax. The lake teems with fish and hosts an interesting variety of waterfowl. The grounds also include well-manicured avenues and paths bordered by fragrant linden trees and an orchard composed of several different kinds of fruit trees. Trails on the property cross grazing fields and wooded areas, and join other well-marked lanes and trails in the surrounding countryside. A professional gardener maintains the property.
The château is an historic 15th and 18th century building that has been thoroughly restored. Its renaissance architecture is typical of many châteaux of the Loire region. It is also know as the Château de la Grande Maison. The château is the home of a romantic story that involved the Seigneur de Luce, Charles de Coesmes, and Gabrielle d’Harcourt. Their marriage in 1523 was initially disapproved by François 1er following the abduction of Gabrielle by Charles de Coesmes, who was aided by Pierre de Bernay. The couple took refuge at the château and subsequent events are known in great detail including quotes from the angry mother trying to fetch her daughter at night. By 1527, because of services rendered by the seigneur and, some say, because of Gabrielle's remarkable beauty, the couple often joined the court of François 1er at Amboise and Chambord. Later the chatellenie de Luce was changed into a barony.