Authentic and intimate, a legendary Breton historical monument,
and its 22-hectare estate in a preserved natural habitat
and its 22-hectare estate in a preserved natural habitat
Lannion,
COTES-D'ARMOR
brittany
22300
FR
Location
This manor, midway from the Pink Granite Coast and the Goëlo beaches, stands between the towns of Perros-Guirec and Paimpol. Constituting arable land and meadows, the place was chosen for its water resources as well as the proximity of ports and moorings on the nearby coast. This property is just a kilometre from the nearest shops selling everyday essentials and, notably, local produce (bakery, grocery, delicatessen-caterer). It is also less than 10 minutes from all other amenities. The N12 is quickly reached from this manor, making it easy to get to the region’s various economic and tourist centres. Guingamp TGV train station, just a 20-minute drive away, provides 2¾ hour links to Paris.
Description
This property is in the valley of a little tributary of the river Jaudy. It extends over close to 22 hectares of woods, untenanted farmland and meadows. A 250-metre long, Seigneurial driveway, bordered by tall trees, provides access to the estate. An apple orchard is ingeniously planted on one side. The visitor’s eye is then quickly drawn to the steep slate roofs, indicating the distant presence of noble buildings with elegant architecture. At the end of the driveway, a lake fed by several springs was once used as a fishpond. Nowadays, a few moorhens treat it as home. Nearby, a menhir almost 6 metres high adds to the mystical atmosphere of the premises. On one side of the enclosure courtyard there is also an old 17th century chapel, standing on the site of an old gatehouse. The manor is, now, deemed to be “the oldest noble dwelling in the Trégor region”. Near to the entrance door, a well is topped with a wrought iron basket-handle arch. On either side, a flax barn and an old farm building complete this outstanding collection of buildings. All around, the oceanic climate enables the vegetation, with its great variety of species, to thrive.
The manor house
Constructed between the 13th and 15th centuries, then remodelled around 1660, this elongated, rectangular, storied house is topped with a gable roof, flanked by two adjoining octagonal chimney stacks. The surrounds framing the openings on the facade alternate quarry stone blocks and dressed stone. Several external architectural features reflect a defensive as well as an ornamental character and enhance the building. For instance, a large stairway tower is positioned two-thirds of the way along the west facade, whilst at each end two watch-turrets, with corbelling, rest on tall flat buttresses, counterbalanced by interior squinches. One of them was fitted with a steam room heated by an oven. The flamboyant Gothic style of the main entrance door is outstanding. Each of the manor’s rooms features a period fireplace, either reflecting the early Gothic style, embellished with coats-of-arms or character symbols, or the flamboyant Gothic style for that in the state room, made for embellishment purposes after the 15th century by an Italian master dressed-stone cutter. The building has 14 fireplaces, several of which are in good working order. The rear, east-facing facade is flanked diagonally by two square towers and a small stairway tower, near to which are still visible four corbels that once supported a wooden gallery. On a lower level, the old Seigneurial lake is now wetland, with its precious ecosystem.
The ground floor
This floor comprises three vast rooms, at each end of which are two rooms corresponding to the first level of the two square towers, and the old bakehouse forming an extension on the east side. The main door opens directly into the servant’s hall of the manor house, used for the estate’s domestic needs not only by the household staff but also by the owners during the feudal era. With little ornamentation, it does however have numerous outstanding original features: terracotta floor tiles, monumental wooden beams and exposed stone walls, lime-rendered using Radenac sand, and a semi-circular arched door. A granite fireplace houses a brightly coloured, ceramic tile, wood-burning stove, reflecting the Italian “la Castellamonte” decor, which contrasts with the ochre walls. On one side, a large, double serving hatch separates this large room from three rooms dedicated to the kitchen. On the other side, the Seigneurial bedroom gives direct access to the old oratory. The steps of a little, old, spiral stairway can be seen. This was used in the past for accessing the four levels, from the cellar to the gallery and including the bedrooms.
The first floor
The layout of this level is identical to that of the ground floor, with three large rooms and two smaller ones. A granite stairway goes up to the extremely spacious state room. Four large windows let in copious amounts of daylight and enhance the blue of the walls. The monumental sculpted granite fireplace, reflects the house’s splendour of yesteryear. This room originally had a cathedral ceiling and a gallery, heated via a little fireplace, with access to the leisure galleries, overlooking the gardens, as well as to the steam room, installed in the south watch-turret. These facilities were reserved for the noble residents, allowing them to see without being seen. Plate warmers or a “potager” (a secondary hearth where soups and other previously prepared dishes were cooked on embers) can still be seen in the apron wall of one of the west-facing windows. Around 1660, a ceiling was installed, eliminating the cathedral effect. On either side are two bedrooms and their private “bathrooms”, fitted with period latrines and window seats. One of the bedrooms, with wall rendering coloured using Roussillon ochre, is enhanced with a fireplace depicting coats-of-arms. The other bedroom is closed by an original, solid wood door, fortified with a Judas hole. A fireplace is set against one of the walls. There is wooden parquet flooring throughout.
The attic
The attic space is divided into three areas which open on to the upper floors of the two square towers. The outstanding roofing framework is exposed in what is now a vast attic that gives access to the watch-turrets on either side. One of the latter houses a particularity of oriental inspiration: a steam room. The device, very elaborate for the time, allowed the lord of the manor to be able to take a private steam bath. Brought back from the Holy Land, this technology is probably unique in the entire region. Terracotta fire pots are still visible in the cavities.
The traditional, long farmhouse
This renovated, habitable farmhouse stands facing the manor.
The ground floor
This building is divided into two sections, one of which is used for the chateau’s bed & breakfast activity, with its little second-hand goods salesroom. The second area, composed of living space, includes a living room and kitchen, with a ceramic wood-burning stove, and two bedrooms, each with their own shower room. The building is fitted with a recent and efficient oil-fired central heating system. Another constructed area, set at right angles, is currently used for storage purposes.
The attic
Upstairs, an attic with a high roofing framework could be converted.
The old flax barn
This rectangular building, topped with a gable roof, is constructed from granite quarry blocks. Vast and laid out longwise, it can be accessed via a porch. It is still used for its initial storage function. It is followed by a covered area, turning its back to the manor house.
The old chapel
This building, standing at the entrance to the enclosure, dates from the 17th century.
The parklands
The manor house has been preserved in the midst of its untenanted land, spanning more than 22 hectares. A subtle blend of orchards, woods, farmland free of any chemical products and meadows. Worthy of note is a hundred-year-old beech grove, one of the last of that age in Europe. But also, a fish-filled lake (carp and gudgeon) where numerous species of birds such as grey herons and cormorants come to feed; it is also home to quantities of amphibians, dragonflies, butterflies, etc. who happily reproduce on site, forming an ecosystem within an ecosystem.
The area with the old lake behind the manor house is now totally preserved wetland. In addition to purifying the water that falls several metres behind the bridge, this wetland is home to a unique biodiversity.
A 5-ha apple orchard, planted in 2011, has been farmed organically since its creation. Every tree is planted with rigorous respect to distance, giving each one adequate space for its natural and healthy development, leading to plentiful harvests.
The various water supply points and the richness of the land on this property lakes it possible to envisage abundant, healthy crops should its new owners wish to undertake such a project.
Our opinion
Light gently filters through the canopy and the plant cover so that it illuminates the elegant facade of this manor on its estate, creating a contemplative and poetic scene. No noise disturbs the peaceful, mystical atmosphere of these premises, apart from that of the lapping of the water against the rocks, the wildlife gambolling through the undergrowth and the breeze rustling in the foliage. Inside, some illustrious characters have left their noble mark on the house, in a combination of colours and avant-garde ideas with an oriental air. The building also still has a monumental appearance, the defensive vocation of which bestows great historic value. The omnipresent natural surroundings provide a refuge not only for species of animals and plants, but also for man. This magical, captivating place, bringing to mind the legend of past centuries, is in search of a new lord and master.
3 300 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 660150
| Land registry surface area | 22 ha 88 a 2 ca |
| Main building surface area | 440 m2 |
| Number of bedrooms | 6 |
| Outbuilding surface area | 300 m2 |
| including refurbished area | 170 m2 |
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NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.
