Château de la Forêterie

Restoration of the Château de la Forêterie, in Allonnes, near Le Mans: the current project is to protect and restore the building.

Located in Allonnes, this private property, built at the end of the 19th century by Georges Darcy, was an important centre for cultural exchanges before being burnt down by a Waffen SS unit in August 1944. It was the same unit that burnt down Oradour-sur-Glane.

The building was forgotten for 70 years, invaded by brambles and undergrowth until the present day. In 2002, François Avice, the owner, began working with German architect Nicolas Dunnebacke on a restoration project, and in 2016 the association, chaired by Guy Gilles, was set up.

In June 2018, the "Château de la Forêterie" rest area on the Boulevard Nature on the banks of the Sarthe was inaugurated. A space taken from the meadow is made up of two benches, and an explanatory panel about the castle that can be seen very well from this spot and which intrigued walkers. A litter bin has also been provided to ensure that no trace of the walker is left behind. The work was carried out in collaboration with the technical services of the town of Allonnes and the Friends of the Château association.