Château du Grand Coudray, Château in Mayenne, France
The Château du Grand Coudray is a large stone structure in Villaines-la-Juhel with thick walls and towers that have stood for centuries. The complex features a main building flanked by two pavilions, both topped with hip roofs, and a distinctive tower crowned by a small bell turret that creates an unusual silhouette.
The château was built in 1904 on a site that had previously held an older manor, with connections to former ponds and a mill that once occupied the grounds. The area was linked to the de La Haie family in the 15th century, whose members held significant military positions during regional conflicts.
The castle holds meaning as a local landmark that represents the heritage and traditions of the village community. It serves as a gathering point where residents and visitors connect with the region's past through its physical presence.
The château is located near the village center of Villaines-la-Juhel and can be reached easily on foot or by bicycle from town. There is no large parking lot, so walking or cycling from the center or surrounding area is the best way to visit.
The grounds were once surrounded by two ponds and housed a mill on the property, but today these water features have dried up and been replaced by open fields. Traces of this former system remain visible in the landscape and remind visitors of how the site was once used differently.
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