Ancienne caserne du Bon Pasteur
MonumentHidden Treasure
Ancienne caserne du Bon Pasteur, located in Rennes (Département 35), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Rennes, Département 35, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 48.1132, -1.6739
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00090674
At the crossroads of the religious and military history of Rennes, the former Bon Pasteur barracks reveals two centuries of metamorphosis: a convent for repentant girls in the 18th century, a revolutionary prison and then a royal barracks.
History
Nestling in the urban fabric of Rennes, the former Bon Pasteur barracks is one of those discreet buildings that harbour a rare historical density. Far from the great medieval fortresses or Renaissance châteaux that we spontaneously associate with Breton heritage, this monument embodies another history: that of social welfare institutions, Catholic charity and the conversion of buildings under the pressure of political revolutions. The complex is distinguished by its angular layout, comprising two buildings erected a generation apart - one in 1749, the other in 1770 - which gives it architectural coherence while betraying the successive stages in its development. Each wing reflects the specific needs of the community that lived there: here a chapel and dormitories, there utilitarian spaces such as a washhouse, kitchen and infirmary. This functional programme, typical of eighteenth-century convent architecture, can still be seen in the sober volumes and rigorous layout of the façades. What makes this place truly unique is the way it has been superimposed over time. In the space of a few decades, the same building has housed nuns and their penitents, women imprisoned under the Terror, then soldiers and a war council. This layering of human histories - devotions, seclusion, military discipline - makes it a privileged witness to the major fractures in French society. Listed as a historic monument since 1971, the building attracts enthusiasts of urban history, classical provincial architecture and religious heritage. The facades, interior layout and some of the remains of the chapel offer a sensitive insight into a lesser-known Rennes, far removed from the large timber-framed squares for which the Breton capital is famous.
Architecture
The former Bon Pasteur barracks feature an angular layout typical of eighteenth-century provincial convent architecture, where functionality took precedence over ostentation. The two main buildings, constructed in 1749 and 1770 respectively, form a coherent whole despite their staggered origins, demonstrating a desire for regularity and order typical of the classical spirit of the period. The sober, well-paced facades are in the tradition of Breton provincial classicism, with their regular bays, ashlar surrounds and characteristic long-sloped roofs. The first building, the oldest, organised different functions under the same roof: the chapel, a sacred space at the heart of convent life, stood alongside a laboratory - probably used for preparing remedies or for craft activities - as well as the nuns' cells and the penitents' collective dormitory. This mixed programme, reflecting the community's dual role between spiritual life and social work, could be seen in the interior layout. The second, more utilitarian part of the building reflects the practical realities of community life: large multi-purpose rooms, service areas and ample space dedicated to the daily life of the boarders. The materials used are probably those typical of 18th-century Rennes construction: granite and schist for the masonry, slate for the roofing, a sober but elegant palette that gives the building its austere, authentic character. The conversion to barracks inevitably altered some of the interior fittings, particularly in the former chapel, which was converted into a war council chamber, but the overall massing and the majority of the facades have been preserved, justifying the protection granted in 1971.
Related Figures
Jeanne du Temple — fondatrice du couvent du Bon Pasteur à Rennes, acquit la propriété en 1718 pour y installer les filles repentiesLes Sœurs du Bon Pasteur — congrégation religieuse ayant animé et développé le couvent tout au long du XVIIIe siècleL'architecte anonyme de 1749 — maître d'œuvre du premier corps de bâtiment, inscrit dans la tradition classique provinciale rennaiseL'architecte anonyme de 1770 — responsable de l'extension en angle qui achève la composition de l'ensemble conventuelLes commissaires révolutionnaires rennais — figures de l'administration locale qui ordonnèrent la conversion du couvent en prison pour femmes après 1789
Tags
Nearby castles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ancienne caserne du Bon Pasteur located?
Ancienne caserne du Bon Pasteur is located in Rennes, Département 35 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Ancienne caserne du Bon Pasteur built?
Ancienne caserne du Bon Pasteur dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Ancienne caserne du Bon Pasteur open to visitors?
Ancienne caserne du Bon Pasteur is currently closed to visitors.
