The Château du Bois-Bide is located in the commune of Pocé-les-Bois, in Ille-et-Vilaine, a few kilometers southwest of Vitré.
A farm is mentioned on these lands, to the southwest of the town, in 1606: it then belonged to the Marquis d'Espinay. Merchants from Vitré bought the estate, built a manor there, which passed by marriage to the Pontavice family in 1830 (his descendants are still masters of the place).
In the meantime, a French garden was designed by Charles Picquet de Montreuil in the 18th century.
In 1883, a new castle was built, the plans of which were designed by the Angevin architect Beignet. The project was not completed until 1930.
Built in schist, sandstone and granite with a slate roof, the castle is made up of a main building of three levels (with a second attic floor), flanked by a rectangular pavilion to the north, and a pavilion ending with a polygonal apse to the south.
Furthermore, to the east, the entrance body is framed by two circular turrets of medieval inspiration.
The whole appears asymmetrical but in neo-classical (or neo-Louis XIII) style.
Of the previous building, only a 17th century dovecote was preserved.
Inside, the elegant decor combines influences between woodwork, paneling with damask silk panels, painted coffered ceilings, marble fireplace...
The park was taken over in 1910 by the landscaper Henri Nivet but the The main elements of the French gardens were preserved, as was the orangery.
The still private property, listed in the Inventory, is perfectly preserved and justifies its nickname of "little Versailles". The exteriors are occasionally open to the public.
The estate can at the very least punctuate a walk in a green environment. Information on +33 2 99 75 04 46.
