Discover a Fully Furnished Castle
Château de Serrant has preserved an exceptional collection of antique furniture in Anjou, as well as art objects amassed over the centuries by the families who inhabited it. This unique collection was classified as Historic Monuments in 2001: a first in France for a private residence!
A 'Versailles' Chapel
At the end of the 17th century, the chapel was added as an extension of the South wing of the castle. Designed by Jules Hardouin Mansart, it contains the mausoleum of the Marquis de Vaubrun sculpted by Coysevox. The Marquise de Vaubrun, née Madeleine de Bautru, commissioned this monument to honor the memory of her husband, who was killed during the crossing of the Rhine in the War of Holland.
Its extraordinary dimensions for a provincial castle and its artworks make this imposing chapel one of the finest examples of 17th-century funerary art. The greatest artists worked on it: Jules Hardouin-Mansart, Antoine Coysevox, Charles Lebrun. Throughout history, the mausoleum of the Marquis de Vaubrun has been admired by visitors to the castle.
The Ebony Cabinet
The Ebony Cabinet is a masterpiece of cabinetmaking attributed to Pierre Gole. It is believed to have been commissioned for a wedding and has been preserved for over 300 years at the castle. A symbol of wealth and magnificence, it reveals an interior theater composed of mirrors, rocaille, precious marquetry, and numerous secret drawers.
The Library
With its warm, unique, and reassuring atmosphere, the library is a treasure trove of approximately 12,000 ancient volumes. These works are meticulously aligned in oak paneling covering the entire walls. Among the rare books are the Encyclopedia, the Description of Egypt, and Piranesi's engravings. Important period furniture completes this room, making it the highlight of the visit: billiard table, secretary, gaming tables, reading tables...
Note: for conservation reasons, the library is only accessible on guided tours.
The Empire Bedroom
This room bears witness to the visit of Napoleon and Josephine by exhibiting Empire furniture commissioned by Countess Walsh to redecorate Serrant for this imperial visit. Egyptian and mythological references mingle in works signed by the greatest artists: Jacob-Desmalter, Marçion, Thomire, Canova.
Note: for conservation reasons, the Empire bedroom is only accessible on guided tours.
The Castle Tapestries
In addition to the sublime collections of antique furniture and art objects, Serrant preserves an exceptional variety of ancient tapestries, remarkable for both their subjects and their state of preservation. In the grand salon, a series of Brussels tapestries from the 16th century shows lush landscapes animated by wild animals. The dining room is surrounded by Flemish tapestries from the 17th century depicting Ovid's Metamorphoses, while the Duchess's chamber houses a rare 18th-century tapestry with the arms of France depicting a tea ceremony in China.
Daily Life in a Castle in 1900
The visit to Serrant also allows you to immerse yourself in the daily life of a grand aristocratic residence in 1900, thanks to rooms rarely opened in castles: children's bedrooms, servants' refectory, kitchens, butler's office, laundry room, chambermaid's rooms. Thanks to numerous period objects and photographs, the immersion is total and allows you to relive all aspects of castle life in the Belle Époque.
Contact Château de Serrant in Maine-et-Loire for further information. You can also find practical information for visiting the castle.