Though the Château de Saint Loup we see today is a product of the French Renaissance, the estate's origins can be traced as far back as the 12th century, with its earliest known lord being a nobleman named Drogon. The estate was an impressive fortress built to defend the junction between the rivers Thouet and Cébron. The castle also played various roles during the Hundred Years' War between France and England. One account states that after the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, Edward, the Black Prince of England, imprisoned the French King John II here.

Artus Gouffier de Boissy, chamberlain to King Louis XII, acquired the castle in 1518. Influenced by the waning Middle Ages and dawning Renaissance Era, he and his family set about transforming the castle. After Artus's death, the task fell to his son Claude Gouffier, though Claude would instead focus his efforts and resources on Château d’Oiron, a spectacular estate also owned by their family. Château de Saint Loup finally began its change when Louis Gouffier, Claude's grandson, became head of the family. Work started in 1609 and continued until 1626, with each year gradually transforming the castle from a Medieval fortress into a resplendent Renaissance manor. Alongside the changes to the manor, the castle courtyard was also turned into a magnificent garden and parkland.

It was also during the 17th and 18th centuries that the estate would change hands. First, from Louis Gouffier to Nicholas Lepage, an advisor to King Louis XIV, in 1645. The Lepages, in turn, ceded it to Jacques de Boyer de la Boissière in 1708. Under its new ownership, improvements continued in the property, involving even the esteemed architect Pierre Vigné de Vigny. Jean Haran de Borda acquired the chateau in 1767, later bequeathing it to his nephew Jean d’Abbadie in 1772. The d'Abbadies held the chateau for over a century, though they eventually sold it to the Maussabré family in 1894. The estate entered a period of neglect when it was donated to the National League Against Cancer in 1983, upon the passing of the madame of the Maussabré family.

After falling in love with the castle, Charles-Henri de Bartillat acquired it in 1990 and immediately set about working on its restoration and modernization. He decorated the halls and spaces with period furniture and centuries-old paintings and portraits. As these paintings are also considered protected treasures, he sends those in need of restoration to Paris every year. Another major project for the estate was the orangery, replanting the same types of trees and flowers that existed on the estate over 300 years ago.

Château de Saint Loup has plenty of experience hosting unforgettable weddings on its estate. Coordinate with the hosts, as they can help you form the best team to handle your matrimonial event, from skilled stylists , professional catering services , confectioners and chefs , and even live performers such as DJs, classical musicians, or even magicians. You can even hire extra services such as a car chauffeur, or masseuses to provide therapeutic massages for your guests.

The planning of the event is also up to you, and you can decide on which activities and ceremonies to hold for your reception. The courtyard is perfect for a grand cocktail party before and after the ceremony. If you prefer a less stifling atmosphere, turn the reception into a barbecue party with grilled treats and delicious drinks for everyone. You can even turn the whole affair into a themed event, such as a treasure hunt or sports meet, should you wish it.

Now if you prefer a traditional church ceremony to complement your celebrations, you can ask for assistance from the hosts in regards to booking one of the nearby historic chapels or cathedrals. Saint-Loup-Lamairé has its very own Église Notre-Dame de l'Assomption , a beautiful medieval church with stained glass and holy relics.

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

A fantastic aspect of Château de Saint Loup is that the estate is itself a heritage property with a deep history worth learning about. Guests can do so by touring the building in their free time, and exploring the gardens, appreciating its beauty that has been preserved and restored since the estate was first established. Saint-Loup-Lamairé's idyllic country ambiance is perfect for riverside picnics and river fishing. Now, if you're looking for a more active approach to enjoying the holiday, ask the concierge for assistance with booking watersports activities and equipment rentals. You can explore the Thouet River at your leisure, or head over to Cébron Lake for some swimming, paddling, and even wildlife watching. You could also rent bikes for countryside rides, or even just dropping by the nearby villages to do some shopping or food spot visits.

For historical excursions, many towns and cities around the region played significant roles in France's past, particularly during the Medieval, Renaissance, and Napoleonic Eras. Saumur, for example, was an important stronghold for the Dukes of Anjou, and was also the home of the Cavalry School and the Cadre Noir. As for Poitiers, it was already a very important city during the Middle Ages, with the Palace of the Counts of Poitou and Dukes of Aquitaine, and the Church of Notre-Dame la Grande. The city is also remembered as where Joan of Arc was thoroughly interrogated by the Church in regards to her holy mission to free France from the English.

There are also a number of festivals that visitors should participate in, such as the Festival of Animal Films in Ménigoute during October. There's also the Festival Ludique International de Parthenay , a 12-day sports festival celebrated by Parthenay and its neighboring communes every July.

Other Celebrations

The château is glad to host all sorts of events, not just for its community, but also guests from all over. They have done fashion shows and photo shoots for special gatherings, such as weddings. They also provide team-building activities such as team bike trips, river boat trips, and archery lessons. The hosts will also be happy to scale down activities for guests who are looking for a more intimate way to celebrate a special day. They can help arrange a special dinner out on the terrace for a private birthday or anniversary.