The castle of Fresnay-sur-Sarthe is located in the town of the same name, in the department of Sarthe, 17 km northeast of Sillé-le-Guillaume.
Located on a rocky outcrop overlooking the course of the Sarthe (at the level of a ford which he could watch the passage), it was built from the tenth century by the viscounts of Beaumont, then suzerains of the counts of Maine. During the Middle Ages, the latter housed garrisons there. The castle was then enlarged and remodeled several times, but after the English occupation (1420-1450), its military function declined. However, until the 16th century, the local lords maintained the stronghold on behalf of the king.
However, the castle is gradually falling into ruin. Only the gatehouse and the salt loft are preserved, having been donated by Louis XIV to the city to serve as a prison and court.
In 1900, the site of the old castle as a whole was acquired by the municipality, which asked the landscape architect Dupuy to develop a public garden. This still contributes to the charm of the town.
Excavations and studies have established that the castle was three levels high, and that its materials were characteristic of the region (limestone, schist and Roussard stone for the corner chains and door frames and Windows). It was in the center of a courtyard and equipped with towers.
Listed in the Inventory, the old castle is one of the points of interest in the locality which has other monuments and a certain charm which have earned it the label of Small City of Character. Information on +33 2 43 33 28 04.
