Overview
Chassé is a former rural commune in the west of France. It lay within the administrative region of Pays de la Loire and the Sarthe department, in the broader national context of France. In 2015 Chassé was merged into the new commune of Villeneuve-en-Perseigne as part of a local reorganisation aimed at strengthening municipal services and cooperation between small settlements.
Geography
The locality is typical of north-western French countryside, characterised by mixed farmland, hedgerows and small woodlands. The surrounding landscape includes scattered hamlets, lanes and agricultural plots. Its location within Pays de la Loire connects it to regional transport and economic patterns while its immediate surroundings remain predominantly rural.
Administration and governance
Before the merger Chassé functioned as an independent commune, the lowest tier of French local government, responsible for local civil registers, basic services and community affairs. The merger into Villeneuve-en-Perseigne reflects a national trend of grouping small communes to pool resources and simplify administration. Information on the departmental framework and communal organisation can be found via links on the Sarthe administration and the broader French departmental system: departmental system overview and Sarthe department.
Economy and local life
Economic activity in and around Chassé has traditionally centred on agriculture, small-scale farming and local trades. Residents commonly rely on nearby towns for services, employment and schooling, while maintaining local associations and traditions. Village life typically includes communal events, voluntary organisations and care for small heritage sites such as chapels or historic houses.
History and identity
Although no longer an autonomous commune, Chassé remains a recognised locality within Villeneuve-en-Perseigne. Local place names, cadastral references and community memory preserve its identity. Municipal records, local associations and regional guides document the history of the settlement and its integration into the larger commune structure.