Sablé-sur-Sarthe, Pays de la Loire 72300

In a peaceful valley of forest and field lies this magnificent abbey, a listed Hitstorical Monument, with a proud history and splendid architectural features in its exterior and interior. Set within a single estate of 18 ha 08 a 96 ca crossed by a small stream, this elegant château rises at the heart of a landscaped property. Originally the abbatial residence of a monastery, the estate features a pleasant tree-lined entrance drive, a beautiful courtyard of honour, and a well-designed park enhanced by an old hornbeam walk and fine ornamental trees. A small kitchen garden and meadows dotted with ancient oak trees complete the setting. The property enjoys a privileged location between Le Mans and Angers, in the midst of preserved countryside. A village with essential shops lies only 3 km away, while a small town less than 10 km from the property provides full services and a TGV railway station. The estate is also easily accessible via the nearby motorway. The château corresponds to the former abbots residence of the monastery. Because the commendatory abbots generally lived at court or in their dioceses, the residence was arranged and decorated from the mid-18th century onward in order to be rented to private occupants. This use explains the refined and residential character of the interior decoration, much of which has survived in remarkable condition. Offering approximately 400 m² on each level, the ground floor is organized around a central vestibule paved with cabochon stone tiles and positioned along the main axis of the façade. This space leads to the reception rooms and formerly provided access to the cloister. Two lateral doors framed with sculpted cartouches decorate the vestibule: one adorned with stylised foliage in a pure Rocaille style, the other with a medallion depicting an armoured figure holding a quiver and crowned with a laurel wreath. To the left of the vestibule lies a large salon measuring 7.29 m by 10.72 m, with stone flooring and four windows overlooking the courtyard of honour and the park. The room retains its original 18th-century décor. The central door, with its original woodwork and iron fittings, is surmounted by a sculpted panel depicting a trophy of musical instruments accompanied by a bust and garlands. The four side doors are decorated with stucco medallions representing allegories of the four seasons, created by itinerant artists of Italian origindecorative work that is relatively rare in the region. The stone fireplace, with Rocaille ornamentation, was originally painted to imitate marble, while the grey wall tones today echo the colours used before the French Revolution. This wing of the ground floor also includes a small tiled sitting room with a wooden fireplace, a kitchen-dining room with terracotta flooring, a bedroom with dressing room and modern bathroom, and a service staircase. To the right of the vestibule is an oak-parqueted study with a 19th-century marble fireplace, created from the former waiting room of the abbatial residence, which was divided during the 19th century to form this office and a passage toward the dining room. The dining room retains most of its Louis XV decorative elements: the fountain, fireplace and sideboards beneath the windows are made of black marble from Solesmes. The fireplace mantel, designed and painted to resemble carved panelling, is made of sculpted stone, as are the frame of the central doorway decorated with a basket of flowers and the fountain surround crowned by a sculpted head of Neptune. A second vestibule leads to the main staircase, a wooden stair with square balusters dating from the late 17th century. Its first flight is built into the thickness of the wall, leaving access to the library, whose doorway is surmounted by a sculpted 19th-century head. This level also includes the library, a dining room installed in the former kitchen with terracotta flooring, a monumental fireplace and an original cooking range, as well as a small kitchen