Château de Conquereuil

The Château de Conquereuil (also called Château de Pontveix or Grand-Pont-Veix) is a historic estate located in the commune of Conquereuil, in the Loire-Atlantique department of the Pays de la Loire region in western France. It stands about 2 km southwest of the village centre, near the old crossing of the river Don known as Pont Veix, roughly halfway between Nantes and Rennes and close to the forest of Le Gâvre.

The site occupies a strategic point on the ancient Roman road from Nantes to Rennes. A ford across the Don has existed since at least Gallic times, and a section of the Roman road (1st century BC) still runs through the approximately 10-hectare park.

The ensemble comprises four main buildings dating from the 15th to the 18th centuries:

• A 15th-century hostelry on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela, built by the monks of the Priory of Marsac-sur-Don to accommodate travellers. In 1482 Duchess Anne of Brittany was received there by Maximilien de La Chênaie, one of her tutors and seigneur of Pontveix.

• The chapel of Sainte-Marguerite (15th century), constructed in slate schist and topped by a lantern.

• Stables from the 17th century.

• An 18th-century dovecote.

The medieval manor was replaced in the 19th century by the present château, built by Comte Porzon de Martel, who retained the hostelry, chapel, dovecote and the old oak avenue. Earlier owners included the La Motte d’Andigné family, who held the estate for two centuries.

The chapel was inscribed as a Monument historique on 21 October 1954. The domain remains private property and is not regularly open to the public, though it may be accessible on special occasions such as the European Heritage Days.