Château de Beaumanoir
CastleHidden Treasure
Château de Beaumanoir, located in Evran (Département 22), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- Castle
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Evran, Département 22, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 48.3932, -1.9861
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00089147
Built in the second quarter of the 17th century, Château de Beaumanoir displays its classical elegance in the heart of the Breton bocage of Evran, listed as a Historic Monument since 1965.
History
Nestling in the verdant countryside of Evran, on the edge of the Côtes-d'Armor region, Château de Beaumanoir is one of those discreet jewels that best embodies the French art of living at the dawn of the Grand Siècle. Far from the ostentation of the great royal residences, it offers a refined synthesis of Breton architectural tradition and the classical influences that were beginning to make their mark on Paris and the Île-de-France region in the 17th century. What makes Beaumanoir so special is precisely this tension between two worlds: on the one hand, the robustness of the carefully cut local granite, the heritage of a Brittany proud of its skills; on the other, an ordered composition, a search for symmetry and balance typical of the emerging classical spirit. The overall effect is one of elegant severity, tempered by the gentleness of the surrounding hedged farmland. Visiting Beaumanoir is like stepping back in time with discretion. The château does not seek to impose its size, but is impressive for the quality of its volumes, the coherence of its layout and the harmony of its facades. The attentive traveller will notice the finesse of some of the sculpted details, evidence of a patron concerned about his standing and the reflection he wished to offer of his house. The natural setting is a perfect complement to the experience, with the Normandy grasslands and hedgerows typical of the Evran region enveloping the estate in a tranquillity that invites contemplation. Just a short drive from Dinan and its medieval ramparts, Beaumanoir is part of an area rich in heritage, ideal for a high-quality cultural tour of inland Brittany.
Architecture
Château de Beaumanoir is a clear illustration of the provincial classical style that flourished in Brittany in the first half of the 17th century. The layout is based on a main building flanked by corner pavilions, in a symmetrical pattern inherited from the great Parisian influences but adapted to the constructional realities of Brittany. The facades, built of carefully dressed local granite, feature a regular arrangement of stone cross bays, the balanced proportions of which bear witness to a certain mastery of the classical art of building. The roofs, typical of Breton architecture of the period, feature high slate roofs with pronounced slopes, pierced by pedimented dormers that give rhythm to the building's silhouette and give it its recognisable character. The monumental chimney stacks give the building the verticality characteristic of the region's manor houses and châteaux. Sculpted elements - moulded door frames, ornate keystones, modillion cornices - punctuate the façades with a discreet elegance. Inside, the layout follows the traditional layout of a noble residence: great hall, adjoining flats, spiral staircase or straight banister depending on the wing in question. The interior fireplaces, carved in granite or ashlar, are the centrepieces of the interior decoration, combining functionality with representative prestige. The entire estate was probably accompanied by outbuildings, formal gardens and a hedged park, the landscape features of which can still be seen in the surrounding natural setting.
Related Figures
Jean de Beaumanoir — héros du Combat des Trente (1351), figure tutélaire de la lignée associée au fiefLe commanditaire du XVIIe siècle — noble breton qui fit reconstruire le château entre 1625 et 1650Les propriétaires du XIXe siècle — familles qui assurèrent la transmission et l'entretien du domaine jusqu'à la protection MHPhilippe de Beaumanoir — juriste et poète médiéval breton, ancêtre illustre de la lignée
Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Château de Beaumanoir located?
Château de Beaumanoir is located in Evran, Département 22 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Château de Beaumanoir built?
Château de Beaumanoir dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Château de Beaumanoir open to visitors?
Château de Beaumanoir is currently closed to visitors.