Château de la Fleuriaye

The Château de la Fleuriaye is a 19th-century château located in the commune of Carquefou, in the Loire-Atlantique department of the Pays de la Loire region in western France, between the town centre and the Renaudières area.

It was built in 1852 by Elzéar Bouvays de La Fleuriaye, who served as mayor of Carquefou from 1848 to 1852 and again from 1864 to 1865. He wished for a residence that reflected his social standing. The building draws on the architectural codes of the Second Empire, characterised by sober lines, elegant roofs and tall windows that allow abundant natural light.

Upon the owner’s death in 1885, the property passed to his niece Marie Valentine, wife of Samuel de Chasteigner. It remained in the family until the early 20th century before being acquired by the du Réau de La Gaignonnière family. Count Jean du Réau was the last heir to occupy the château.

In 1987 the Town of Carquefou purchased the estate and installed municipal services there, notably the Sports and Culture departments, until 2012. Since then the château has served a civic purpose: it houses the Maison des Associations and the twinning committees, functioning as a meeting place for local associations and residents.

In the park stands a giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) planted around 1860 by Elzéar Bouvays de La Fleuriaye. One of the largest in the department, it reaches 34 metres in height with a circumference of 7.8 metres and is classified as a “remarkable tree of Loire-Atlantique”.