Château-Marie, Jardin du Parc

Jardin du Parc rain gauge

This former suburban manor, once home to the Barons of Vitré, was more comfortable than the medieval château and dates back to the first half of the 17th century. A French-style painted ceiling depicting the coat of arms of Marie de la Tour-Bouillon, who married Henri de La Trémouïlle in 1619, proves that the manor was indeed built at that time. The main rectangular building, at the back of the courtyard, boasts a double pavilion in each corner, forming wings. This sober building was built from Vitré sandstone. An 18th century watercolour reveals its original features: an avenue once ran down to it (now the Champ de Foire) and it was surrounded by tree-lined alleys leading to various gardens and meadows. Deemed emigrant property during the French Revolution and acquired by the town in the late 19th century, the Jardin du Parc and the Military Barracks took over part of the domain. Restored in 1934, this château houses the regional Public Works office. A development project was launched in 2003 to enable it to house the Vitré Communauté headquarters.