Château de Cargouët
CastleHidden Treasure
Château de Cargouët, located in Meslin (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
- Meslin, Département 22, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 48.4516, -2.5953
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00089776
Vestige aristocratique du XVIIe siècle en Bretagne, Cargouët intrigue par sa tour carrée coiffée d'un rare dôme et son histoire pluriséculaire portée par six familles nobles successives.
History
Perched in the Brioche bocage, on the edge of the Meslin commune, Château de Cargouët is one of those discreet Breton manor houses that condense several centuries of seigneurial history into a few stones. Once a fiefdom of Lamballe, it formed a coherent and imposing whole that 19th-century travellers could still contemplate in its entirety: main dwelling, private chapel, dovecote, outbuildings and two entrance pavilions framed by a moat. Today, it is a fragment of this picture that visitors will discover, but a fragment of remarkable architectural singularity. What immediately sets Cargouët apart in the landscape of Breton châteaux is its square tower covered by a dome - a relatively rare architectural solution in a region dominated by peaked or gambrel roofs. This feature gives the building an unexpected, almost southern silhouette, which betrays the ambition of the builders of the Grand Siècle and their desire to display a modernity that was fashionable in their Armorican lands. The dwelling itself, built in two separate campaigns during the 17th century, bears witness to the changing tastes and means of its successive owners. The eastern part, the only one to have been preserved, offers a legible interpretation of the sober elegance of Breton provincial classicism: granite masonry, ordered openings and balanced massing. Although it has been stripped of its most picturesque outbuildings - the chapel, dovecote and one of the entrance pavilions have all disappeared - the preserved ensemble is a real eye-catcher. The visit, which is intimate by nature, will appeal as much to lovers of medieval and modern heritage as to walkers curious about the seigniorial history of the Côtes-d'Armor region. The ruins and surviving buildings are enveloped in an atmosphere of quiet melancholy that is not without its charms. Listed as a Historic Monument since 1992, Cargouët now enjoys official recognition, which we hope will guarantee the longevity of what remains of this fine ensemble.
Architecture
Château de Cargouët belongs to the large family of 17th-century Breton manor houses and small châteaux, characterised by a sober architecture that makes the most of the local granite, and is robust and slightly austere. The dwelling, built in two separate campaigns during the Grand Siècle, has a well-balanced composition in its preserved eastern section, with a regular elevation, bays arranged in bays and neatly framed windows. The grey granite ashlar gives the building its silvery hue, so characteristic of the Côtes-d'Armor heritage. The most remarkable feature of the building is undoubtedly the square, domed tower that crowns the eastern part of the dwelling. This architectural choice, uncommon in the Breton repertoire, which usually favours conical or pavilion-shaped roofs for its towers, suggests an outside influence - perhaps Parisian or Ligerian - and a desire to display social status and fashionable architectural taste. The dome, probably made of Anjou slate or tiles according to local practice, is a strong landmark in the surrounding hedged farmland. Of the original layout, which included a dwelling, chapel, dovecote, two entrance pavilions, outbuildings and moat, all that remains today is the eastern part of the dwelling with its domed tower. The moat, even though it has been filled in, can still be seen in the topography of the land, reminding us of the defensive and ostentatious nature of the original complex. The entrance pavilions, one of which has survived, bear witness to the quest for a solemn entrance, typical of noble residences in the second half of the 17th century.
Related Figures
Famille de Cargouët — premiers seigneurs connus du lieu au XIIIe siècle, donnant leur nom au fiefFamille de Largentaye — propriétaires au XIVe siècle, acteurs du réseau nobiliaire lambelloisFamille de la Motte — seigneurs de Cargouët aux XVe et XVIe sièclesFamille Bertho — propriétaires aux XVIe-XVIIe siècles, commanditaires probables du logis classiqueFamille Sauvaget des Clos — détenteurs du domaine aux XVIIe-XVIIIe sièclesFamille de Froulay — derniers seigneurs nobles, XVIIIe siècleFrotier de la Messelière — érudit généalogiste qui recensa et documenta le château en 1896
Tags
Nearby castles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Château de Cargouët located?
Château de Cargouët is located in Meslin, Département 22 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Château de Cargouët built?
Château de Cargouët dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Château de Cargouët open to visitors?
Château de Cargouët is currently closed to visitors.
