Frétay Castle

Frétay Castle, locally known as Château de Frétay, lies east of the village of Pancé, in the Ille-et-Vilaine department in France.

An earlier fortification at this site was mentioned in 1387, belonging to a Jehan de La Marzelière, and existed until around 1417. Building of the present Frétay Castle was started in 1442. In 1462 the lordship of Frétay went to the Giffart family, who then took on the name de La Marzelière.

In 1578 the lord of Frétay was elevated to a viscount. During the French Wars of Religion Frétay Castle was besieged and taken by forces of the Catholic League of France in 1592. It was taken back by its owner the same year. In 1598 the castle was dismantled on the orders of Henry IV of France. Afterwards it fell to ruin.

Apparently Frétay Castle was rebuilt because in 1619, when the lordship was elevated to a marquisate, the castle had 3 wings with 6 towers and a moat spanned by a drawbridge.

During the 18th century the castle became property of the Coëtquen family. I do not know when the castle finally fell to ruin.

At present the ruin of Frétay Castle are situated on the courtyard of a private farm and are thus not freely accessible. Even though the ruin is very much overgrown, I like it a lot.

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