Château de l'Oiselinière, Gorges, France

The Oiselinière estate was, before the French Revolution a 'Seigniory'. It is mentioned as early as 1335 in the charter 'Les Actes'. It spreads over the districts of Gorges and Clisson, and under the feudal system depended on the Seigneurs of Clisson and Pallet. For 643 years, this Seigniory only changed families four times: Maurice le Meigen was the owner, then in 1460 one of this descendants through allegiance, Claude Grézeau took over. His family sold the seigniory of the Oiselinière to Jean Goulet de la Fosse de Nantes in 1613. Louis de la Bourdonnaye acquired the property in 1658. Then in 1767, the seigniory was sold to the ancestors of the Aulanier family (This family made a great contribution in the Second World War, Oselinière being a hotbed of resistance).

The castle is a villa built in Italian style between 1822 and 1835 to enclose a square courtyard dated from the 17th century. The villa, the outbuildings, the orangery and the gallery of 'Les Illustres' are included in the inventory of historical monuments since 1997 and are cited as reference in the inventory 'Clisson or return to Italy.'

To the west of the villa, near the orangery stands a set of architectural interest with six niches on its main facade which are made of circular brick and adorned with busts of famous men. From left to right, we can recognize Olivier de Clisson, Conde, Duquesne, Jean Bart, and Bayard Duguesclin.

User Reviews

Pierre L (7 months ago)
Salle de réception sympa et dans un beau site au milieu des vignes ! Mais gros point noir : le parquet stratifié au sol à travaillé et il est complètement décalé et laisse un espace tout du long plus une surépaisseur c'est dangereux ! Pareil au milieu de la salle le sol est plus haut sur une largeur de chaise c'est pas pratique du tout pour s'assoir !

Fab Mon (4 years ago)
À voir ...!! La propriété de l’Oiselinière était avant la Révolution française une seigneurie. Elle est signalée dans « les Actes » du chartrier déjà depuis 1335 et elle s’étendait sur les communes de Gorges et de Clisson, et relevait féodalement des seigneurs de Clisson et du Pallet. Durant 643 ans, cette seigneurie ne change que quatre fois de propriétaires : c’est Maurice le Meignen qui en est le premier propriétaire connu, puis en 1460, l’un de ses descendants par alliance, Claude Grézeau. Sa famille vend la seigneurie de l’Oiselinière à Jean Goulet de la Fosse de Nantes en 1613. Vient ensuite par acquisition Louis de la Bourdonnaye en 1658. Puis en 1767, vente de la seigneurie aux ancêtres de la famille Aulanier. En 2006, Georges Verdier et sa famille se portent acquéreurs et deviennent propriétaires du Château de l’Oiselinière ... ☺

yoneh mizrahi (5 years ago)
BEWARE OF THIS PLACE! The treatment and hospitality received over here has been absolutely horrific

Ian Watts (5 years ago)
We had a good welcome and was shown to our lovely room. It was very large, as you would expect from a chateau. After driving a long way we wanted to relax and sat in the little suntrap for guests with wicker chairs. It was lovely. They make their own wine which was on sale in the lounge fridge. We had a bottle and chilled. Breakfast was served in the orangery with lovely cutlery and porcelain crockery. Homemade yoghurt and butter. Croissants, cheese and ham and of course orange and coffee. Bought some of their delicious wine and said goodbye. Very nice and would recommend.

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright mike catalonian

Historic Site of the week

Arles Amphitheatre

The two-tiered Roman amphitheatre is probably the most prominent tourist attraction in the city of Arles, which thrived in Roman times. Built in 90 AD, the amphitheatre was capable of seating over 20,000 spectators, and was built to provide entertainment in the form of chariot races and bloody hand-to-hand battles. Today, it draws large crowds for bullfighting as well as plays and concerts in summer.

The building measures 136 m in length and 109 m wide, and features 120 arches. It has an oval arena surrounded by terraces, arcades on two levels (60 in all), bleachers, a system of galleries, drainage system in many corridors of access and staircases for a quick exit from the crowd. It was obviously inspired by the Colosseum in Rome (in 72-80), being built slightly later (in 90).

With the fall of the Empire in the 5th century, the amphitheatre became a shelter for the population and was transformed into a fortress with four towers (the southern tower is not restored). The structure encircled more than 200 houses, becoming a real town, with its public square built in the centre of the arena and two chapels, one in the centre of the building, and another one at the base of the west tower.

This new residential role continued until the late 18th century, and in 1825 through the initiative of the writer Prosper Mérimée, the change to national historical monument began. In 1826, expropriation began of the houses built within the building, which ended by 1830 when the first event was organized in the arena - a race of the bulls to celebrate the taking of Algiers.

Arles Amphitheatre is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, together with other Roman buildings of the city, as part of the Arles, Roman and Romanesque Monuments group.

Do you know an ancient castle or magnificent church near you?

Why not share it with other people interested in history? You can add your own historic sites and attractions to SpottingHistory.com.

It's absolutely free, easy, and doesn't even need registration!

Upload data

Château de l'Oiselinière

Address

Details

More Information

Rating

Interesting Sites Nearby

User Reviews

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Rhodes, The Island of Knights

Great Spa Towns of Europe

History of Guernsey & Jersey

Historic Site of the week

Arles Amphitheatre

Looks like you are a history fan!