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Profile
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 In between Saumur and Angers, Le Prieuré, a charming manor house dating from the 12th and 16th century, looks out over the Loire river. Gleaming white, Le Prieuré has a "stately presence" with its vast chimneys and imposing towers as it stands proudly within its 62 acres wooded park. The main residence has 21 rooms of character: the interiors are marvelous with a wonderful spiral staircase, great carved fireplaces, canopied beds and antique furniture. 15 rooms in the modern cottages in the parc. |
 History:
In the 10th century a parish was created by the Benedictine monks. Following the Norman invasions, the monks fled and on the priors remained.The priory lodge was built on 2 floors in the 12th century. Today, there are 2 pretty rooms which have retained the original twin semi circular arched windows. It was only in the 16th century that Le Prieuré was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. From this work arose a magnificent manor house with a double gable enhanced with a hexagonal tour. |
 One of the room was the private apartment of the prior and has a huge original fireplace rich in symbols and decoration. With the revolution, it was abandoned. The cellar which gave the access to the crypt of the chapel was walled up on purpose by the monks. During the 19th century, the new owner built a square tower. The start of the 20th century brought a new owner, the comte de Castellane, who decided to restore the house and build huge terraces connected by wide staircases in order to return to the magnificence of the castle. It was only in 1957 that Le Prieuré was transformed into a hotel. |
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