History of Le Lude

The history of Le Lude (Sarthe) encompasses all ancient or recent events related to this French town. The megalithic complexes in the Loir Valley provide evidence of the region's occupation since the Neolithic period. The spur of the Vaux camp and the Cherré site, both located a few kilometers east of Le Lude, demonstrate the region's continued dynamism from the Bronze Age to Antiquity.

During the Middle Ages, Le Lude emerged as a formidable stronghold on the border between the counties of Anjou and Maine. The defensive apparatus of Le Lude consisted of a feudal motte and a stone castle. The town's development was facilitated by its milling activity and the establishment of several religious buildings. However, it subsequently experienced the challenges of the Hundred Years' War, during which the English occupied Le Lude Castle from 1425 to 1427. The town of Le Lude experienced a new period of growth and prosperity during the Renaissance era, thanks to the efforts of its lord, Jean Daillon [fr], who undertook the castle restoration from its ruins. His successors continued to develop the town by establishing hospitals and leather and woolen cloth factories. In 1545, the lordship of Le Lude was elevated to a county, and in 1675, it was elevated to a duchy-peerage. The lordship later had a salt storehouse in the Seneschal of Baugé [fr].

During the French Revolution, the commune of Le Lude was attached to the Sarthe department. Following the Restoration, it was repeatedly affected by unrest related to the Chouannerie, with the royalist troops of Bernard de la Frégeolière [fr] seizing control of the area on two occasions. In 1816, four men who were part of a group known as the "Vultures of Bonaparte", demonstrating their loyalty to the emperor, were executed in Le Lude.

The 19th century saw the economic and industrial development of the town, facilitated by the arrival of the railway and then electricity, and the establishment of factories such as the Courbe paper mill. The town suffered a significant loss of life during the First World War, with the death of 123 of its inhabitants, and experienced German occupation during the Second World War. Russian prisoners were interned in the area, and a munitions storage camp was established between the communes of Le Lude and those of Savigny-sous-le-Lude and Thorée-les-Pins. The explosion of the Le Lude station on March 3, 1944, was one of the most notable local events of the period. Similarly, the deportation of several young people who resisted compulsory work service (STO) triggered a spontaneous protest against the occupying forces.

Following the conclusion of the previous conflict, Le Lude distinguished itself through the implementation of one of France's inaugural sound and light displays. However, the town, along with the entirety of the south of Sarthe, experienced a pronounced decline in industrial activity during the latter half of the 20th century and the early years of the 21st century.