Le château et la chapelle de la Blanchardais

Two remains that bear witness to the importance of the town of Vue in the Pays de Retz.

THE CHÂTEAU DE LA BLANCHARDAIS

The first castle was built in the 12th and 13th centuries at a place called "la Blanchardaye". At that time, the seigneury of la Blanchardaye was distinct from the châtellenie of Vue.

In 1265, Jean I, Duke of Brittany, offered the lordship of Vue to his eldest son Pierre. The latter exchanged it for the lands of Emma Chabot of Nogent-le-Rotrou. The lady of Rais left her lands to her husband Girard II Chabot if their son died as heir. When he became a priest, the lord of Rais became the new owner of the manor of Vue. Over the centuries, Vue passed from the hands of the Dukes of Brittany and the Barons of Retz to those of the Lords of La Blanchardaye.

During the uprisings of 1793, the lord of la Blanchardais, Dranguy, was forced by his peasants to attack Paimboeuf. Wounded, he was arrested at his home the very next day. Taken to Nantes by the Republicans, he was shot without trial and his property sequestered.

LE PIGEONNIER

Owning a dovecote or fuie was a feudal privilege. At the time, the lords held the "right of dovecote". This gave them the fastest means of communication at the time. The pigeon is a great traveller with a sense of direction and returns faithfully to its loft. The pigeon loft at La Blanchardais was built in the 14th century. Around 2,600 pigeons could take refuge there to lay their eggs and hatch without being bothered by bad weather.

THE CHAPEL OF LA BLANCHARDAIS

There have been several chapels over the centuries. The first two chapels were attached to the Château de la Blanchardais, as can be seen on the 1836 land register. In 1781, a second chapel at la Blanchardais must have been rebuilt, as an extract from the blessing of this new chapel can be found in the parish register of baptisms, marriages and deaths. It was a private chapel, built by and for a family. The building has a mortuary crypt.


The estate is privately owned and open to visitors only on European Heritage Days in September.