3. Chailland to Mayenne

Private property, park visit only.
In the last century, in 1834, the Marquis de Chavagnac bought the forge, the forest and the surrounding estates. A few steps from the Forge, the castle of the same name stands on the site of the former Aubert manor house. In a magnificent location, it overlooks the deep and rugged valley of the Ernée on the edge of the Mayenne forest. The chapel that replaces the old foundation of Saint-Jean d'Aubert is an elegant Romanesque building. Its stained glass windows were painted by Ottin de Paris in 1878.

The chapel was part of a convent belonging to the Filles du Calvaire, an order founded in 1617 in Poitiers. Begun in 1626, it was consecrated in 1655. The convent had a relatively short existence, as it was sold during the French Revolution. It was transformed into a college and only the chapel, the north of the cloister and the dwelling of the chaplain still exist.

The castle of Mayenne is a medieval wooden fortress established in 9ᵉ century, under the reign of Charles the Simple. It was refurbished several times during the Middle Ages, before becoming a prison in the 18th century. During major refurbishment work in 1993, Carolingian remains were unearthed. This discovery gives value to the castle, as preserved Carolingian civil or military buildings are extremely rare. The site is therefore declared an Archaeological Site of National Interest. Important excavations are carried out and the castle becomes a museum.