On the outskirts of the ancient town of Lay, only a few hundred meters from the village of Thélis where no vestige of the manor which was in all likelihood the cradle of the chivalrous family of that name, still stands the old manor of Pesselay. It is a fifteenth century feudal residence, almost intact, truly remarkable with its high round tower and its majestic facade which looks out over the coast at the foot of which it sits. On this side, a square tower and several grilled windows complete the castle's appearance which appeals to friends of the past. Inside, the kitchen has retained its old fireplace with a large stone mantle; above a door is an unfortunately mutilated escutcheon. Pesselay was originally only a hunting lodge of the lords of Beaujeu. On September 28, 1400, Pierre de Thélis paid homage from Pesselay to the Duke of Bourbon, and gave the count, at Beaujeu, on February 17, 1402, Pierre de Thélis, lord of Pesselay, had married Clémence de la Vulpillière, who tested in November 1414, leaving Guichard, damoiseau, lord of Pesselay; 2° John, substituted for his brother; 3° Isabeau, nun at Beaulieu. On February 6, 1458, Jean Frépier, known as du Bosc or du Bois, residing at the castle of Pesselay, gave the confession and enumeration of his fief which he dismembered shortly after. On November 17, 1470, a count was given by Antoine Fournillon, who acquired land from Jean Freppier, lord of Pesselay and his heirs, Simon du Bois and Michel Charreton, bourgeois of Charlieu.