Anciens celliers
MonumentHidden Treasure
Anciens celliers, located in Landéan (Département 35), is a medieval landmark built in the Middle Ages. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Period
- Medieval (11th-15th century)
- Location
- Landéan, Département 35, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 48.4074, -1.1567
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00090608
Buried beneath Landéan, these 12th-century medieval cellars reveal eleven strikingly sober semi-circular arches - probably a forgotten vestige of the Château de la Foreterie, listed since 1862.
History
In the heart of the commune of Landéan, in Ille-et-Vilaine, lies one of the most discreet and moving examples of Breton Romanesque architecture: the former cellars, a vaulted underground room dating back to the 12th century. Far from the splendour of the great medieval fortresses, this site tells the intimate story of a seigneurial estate that has now largely disappeared. What makes these cellars truly unique is their remarkable state of preservation, despite centuries of burial. The eleven semicircular arches that punctuate the room are a rare and intact example of utilitarian Romanesque architecture in inland Brittany. There are no superfluous ornaments here: the stone speaks for itself, in all its rigour and power. The experience of visiting is that of a literal plunge back into the Middle Ages. Descending into these cellars means leaving the present to slip into the shadows of a vanished world. The filtered light, the permanent coolness, the muffled echo of the vaults - everything contributes to an atmosphere of rare density, conducive to contemplation and historical imagination. The surrounding countryside, the Brière countryside on the edge of the Fougères forest, reinforces the feeling of isolation and authenticity. With its rich medieval history linked to the marches of Brittany, this land of hedgerows and hedged farmland provides a natural backdrop worthy of the gravity of these remains. Enthusiasts of medieval archaeology and Romanesque architecture will find this an invaluable stop-off point, far from the well-trodden paths of heritage tourism.
Architecture
The ancient cellars at Landéan are a perfect illustration of the constructional genius of 12th-century Romanesque utilitarian architecture. The main room, which is entirely underground, has a longitudinal plan punctuated by eleven semi-circular arches that structure the space in regular bays. This vaulting system, typical of Romanesque art, ensures both the strength of the roof and an even distribution of the loads on the gutter walls. The materials used were probably local sandstone and granite, which are abundant in this part of Ille-et-Vilaine, close to the Armorican massif. The stonework is simple and functional, reflecting the strictly utilitarian purpose of the building, with no sculpted or decorative mouldings. The stonework is nevertheless meticulous, a sign of craftsmen with a perfect command of the construction techniques of their time. The total burial of the structure is in itself a major architectural feature: it gives the interior space special acoustics and remarkable thermal inertia. Natural light had to penetrate through window wells, which are now partially filled in. With its stony bareness and geometric rigour, the building is a rare and intact example of what service architecture could have been like on a Romanesque manor estate in Brittany.
Related Figures
Seigneurs de la Foreterie (XIIe siècle) — commanditaires présumés des celliersProsper Mérimée — inspecteur général des Monuments Historiques, acteur du premier classement de 1862Arcisse de Caumont — érudit normand fondateur de la Commission des Monuments Historiques, dont les travaux favorisèrent la reconnaissance du patrimoine roman breton
Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Anciens celliers located?
Anciens celliers is located in Landéan, Département 35 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Anciens celliers built?
Anciens celliers dates back to a period built in the Middle Ages (11th-15th century).
Is Anciens celliers open to visitors?
Anciens celliers is currently closed to visitors.