Château de la Chauvelière

The Château de la Chauvelière is a historic château located in the commune of Joué-sur-Erdre, in the Loire-Atlantique department of the Pays de la Loire region in western France, on the left bank of the river Erdre.

Its origins go back to a feudal motte established in the 10th century on the orders of Alain Barbetorte to watch the river and defend against Norman incursions. A stone castle was later built on the hillside, probably in the 12th or 13th century. The present building dates mainly from the 18th century; the principal part was constructed under Louis XV. It features square pavilions, semi-circular pediments and two lines of moats. Below the château, extensive gardens laid out in amphitheatre form descend towards the Erdre. A small chapel stands nearby; the estate formerly possessed a water mill on the river and a windmill (destroyed in the 19th century).

The seigneurie belonged successively to several prominent families. From the 13th century it was held by the de La Rivière family, closely linked to the barons of Châteaubriant and the ducal court of Brittany (several members served as chamberlains, chancellors or councillors to the dukes and to Duchess Anne). In 1520 it passed by marriage to the Angier de Lohéac family. During the Wars of Religion Claude Anger, a royalist, was arrested and executed in Rennes in 1593. Later owners included the Goyon-Matignon (marquises of La Chauvelière and of Ponthus), the Crapado, Perrin de La Courbejolière, Richard de La Rivière d’Abbaretz and de Charette families. The château was the seat of a high seigneurial jurisdiction.