Château de Sainte-Suzanne

The castle's origins date back to the Iron Age, as evidenced by archaeological findings. In the mid-11th century, the Beaumont family, Viscounts of Maine, erected a keep and initial fortifications here. Between 1083 and 1086, the castle was besieged by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, but could not be taken – a rare defeat for the Conqueror. During the Hundred Years' War, the Château changed hands multiple times, including Ambroise de Loré and Jean de Bueil. In 1604, Guillaume Fouquet de la Varenne, a minister of Henry IV, acquired the ruins and began converting it into a residential palace. The current residential building, constructed between 1608 and 1613, is an example of early 17th-century architecture. Since 1998, the Mayenne department has owned the complex.

The Château de Sainte-Suzanne is located in the commune of Sainte-Suzanne in the Mayenne department, within the Pays de la Loire region of France. It stands at an elevation of approximately 164 m above sea level.

Visitors can explore the castle today. Since June 2009, it has housed the Centre d'interprétation de l'architecture et du patrimoine (CIAP) for the Pays d'art et d'histoire Coëvrons-Mayenne and the Mayenne department.

• Château de Montecler (Castle), approx. 6.9 km away
• Château de la Courbe de Brée (Château), approx. 12.3 km away
• Château du Rocher (Castle), approx. 12.5 km away
• Roman fort Rubricaire (Ancient Structures), approx. 13.3 km away