History of Gevraise
Gevraise in its current form dates back to the early 17th century, built in the style of seigniorial residences of the period. The facade was remodeled in the second half of the 18th century, unified and fitted with a pediment framed with vases. According to some sources, this building was erected in place of a feudal castle.
The fief of Gevraise was one of the fiefdoms of the Vaunoise seigneury, which was part of the Bellême châtellenie. Around 1350, the Gevraise estate entered the de Souvre family through the marriage of Isabeau de Gevraise to Macé de Souvre. The de Souvre family was one of the most important in Maine. Its members rendered highly honorable services to the kings of France.
For the record, the Souvre de Gevraise family forged rich matrimonial alliances :
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Circa 1430, Pierre de Souvre and Maurette de Beaurepaire
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Around 1460, Macé II de Souvre, provost of the marshals of Brittany, and Yolande de Laval
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Circa 1500, Antoine 1er de Souvre became Marquis de Courtenvaux
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Circa 1626, Jean II de Souvre, third Marquis de Courtenvaux, married Catherine Neufville de Villeroy, whose father was a member of the King's Council and whose brother became the first Duc de Villeroy. Their granddaughter, Anne de Souvre, was married in 1662 to Francois-Michel Le Tellier, who later became Marquis de Louvois and Minister to Louis XIV.
In 1743, the de Louvois heirs ceded Gevraise to Francois-Pomponne de Bellou, then squire and ancestor of the Romanet de Beaune family.
The Gevraise estate, fortunately preserved during the Revolution, was sold to Achille Bonnet de Bellou, upon his to France return from England once it was safe to do so. Achille Bonnet de Bellou created a landscaped park with deep vistas through broad wooded valleys, which widen to the north-west into a vast pastureland panorama interspersed with hedges and groves of trees.
From his marriage to Aimée-Thérèse des Feugerets, Achille Bonnet de Bellou had a daughter who married the Comte de Romanet de Beaune, whose line continues to this day.
This is how the estate passed from the old feudal family of Gevraise to the Romanet de Beaune family, having been sold only once during this long period of over five hundred years. In 1978, perpetuating this tradition and having no direct heirs, Count Jean de Romanet de Beaune passed on the estate to his niece, Countess Jeanne de Marchant et d'Ansembourg, née Romanet de Beaune.
In 1994, following the death of her aunt, Marie-Hélène de Bellaigue de Bughas, Jeanne de Marchant et d'Ansembourg took possession of the property and as of the year 2000 undertook the total restoration of the house, which lasted over ten years, a major investment due to the neglected state of the building, the lack of heating and, above all, the absence of sanitary facilities.
At the end of 2025, the estate passed into the hands of the tenth generation, when Jeanne's daughter, Audrey, née Countess de Marchant et d'Ansembourg, took over the reins.
Gevraise, a place steeped in history, has been a haven for the illustrious and the refined since 1350, welcoming and entertaining through the centuries. We hope you too will be captivated by its timeless charm, peace and tranquillity, and enjoy an unforgettable and rejuvenating experience, nestled in the heart of this magnificent 500 acre private estate.
