A few of history.

 

The name of Matheflon comes from a battle between lords and perfidious vassals (Mater Felonium in Latin, the oldest name is Mathefelonium). All the lands belonged to The Ronceray's abbey and St Aubin's abbey. In 847, Charles le Chauve gave it to St Aubin and, in 1028, countess Hildegarde, Foulque Nerra’s wife to Ronceray’s abbess.

Towards the end of the tenth century, popular legend reveals that a conflict took place at Matheflon, wherein the "felons" were vanquished ("Matheflon" is "mâter les félons" = "to subdue the felons"). A stronghold was built at Matheflon, but perhaps only a wall of that original fortress remains. Where Count Fulk Nerra (987-1040) first erected this fortification, an elegant chapel, built in 1877, now overlooks the Loir River. The name of Matheflon has a long and glorious history. As loyal servants to the Angevin counts, members of this family distinguished themselves on the battlefield of Alençon (départ. Orne) in 1118 against King Henry I of England. The family united with the lords of Durtal in the later twelfth century and became extinct in 1390.

The village of Matheflon also hold an important cave dweller spot and some impressive quarries which were used to extract tufa. Most of them is now the property of the inhabitants. The oldest remaining house comes from the XV century and some caves come from the XI century. A beautiful water mill is visible from the Loir banks and a footpath is designed.

In direction to the National Road Number 23, a little Calvary can attract the walker’s attention. Baptized "Dog’s Cross" , the stele gets its name from a legend. Pierre de Rohan (Lord of the Verger) was back from a pilgrimage to St Jacques de Compostelle, would have lost his dog "Relais" crossing the Pyrenées. During a walk near the castle , he encountered his dog who died of exhaustion and of joy. Affected, Pierre de Rohan dug his dog and made this stele built where he found him.

Matheflon offers other touristic spots. One of the most beautiful castle was erected here. Some kings came whence Charles VIII, François I, Charles IX, Henry IV, Louis XIII,... Unfortunately, a rivalry and a problem of inheritance obliged the Cardinal of Rohan to dismantle the edifice in 1776, selling it piece by piece. The stables and the servant’s building still visible today give an idea of the magnificence of the Verger, closed by walls on 135 ha. Its two towers wear marks of pilgrim’s stick which reminds of St Jacques of Compostelle’s track.

The farmhouse "La Coquille", the "Hostellerie St Jacques" testifies that Seiches – Matheflon was on the way of the pilgrims. In the other side, La Garde’s chapel (XIV) and the washhouse were recently restored.