Château et parc de la Haute-Touche
CastleHidden Treasure
Château et parc de la Haute-Touche, located in Monterrein (Département 56), 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
- Monterrein, Département 56, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 47.8800, -2.3742
- Mérimée Reference
- PA56000053
An elegant 18th-century Breton manor house reinterpreted by Rennes architect Jobbé-Duval in 1902, Château de la Haute-Touche combines the soul of the Malouinières with classical rigour in a setting of Morbihan greenery.
History
Nestling in the heart of the inland Morbihan, at Monterrein, Château de la Haute-Touche is one of those Breton residences that speak with a low voice but a definite authority. Born in the 1760s from the desire of a family to maintain its position, it embodies the kind of provincial classicism that, far from the great Parisian workshops, is able to strike its own balance between regional tradition and aesthetic ambition. What makes Haute-Touche so unique is above all its dual temporal strata. At the turn of the 20th century, the Rennes architect Jobbé-Duval was called in to enhance the monumentality of the dwelling. Instead of applying an anachronistic decor, he chose to create a dialogue with the malouinière - the type of architecture typical of the shipowners and privateers of Saint Malo - to give the château a new gravity. It was a perilous exercise, but one that proved a success: the two periods coexist without friction, united by the Breton sobriety that governs the whole. The visit begins with the double invitation of the façades, each adorned with a horseshoe-shaped staircase whose elegant curve guides the visitor to the threshold. This feature, rare in Breton civil architecture, creates a discreet but memorable entrance ceremony. Inside, the spaces of the raised ground floor and the square first floor retain the atmosphere of a lived-in residence, far from a frozen museum, where history seems to be still being written. The parkland surrounding the château adds a contemplative dimension to the walk. The tall trees, the views from the façades and the tranquillity of the site make it an ideal place to stroll if you're looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the nearby Breton coast. Photographers, architecture enthusiasts and walkers in search of serenity will all find their reward here. Protected as a Historic Monument since 2001, the château and grounds of Haute-Touche represent a precious milestone in the understanding of Breton domestic architecture: that of a region which, even as it modernised, never gave up its soul.
Architecture
The architecture of Château de la Haute-Touche is a composite of 18th-century contributions and early 20th-century monumental reinterpretations. The main dwelling, built on a raised ground floor, has a square upper storey topped by an attic, a layout typical of Breton manor houses, which emphasise the restrained verticality and sobriety of the facades. The local stone, characteristic of the inland Morbihan region, gives the building an austere grey tone, enhanced by the rigour of the regularly distributed openings. The most remarkable feature is the way in which the entrances are laid out: there are two façades leading into the residence, each with a single-flight horseshoe-shaped staircase. The staircase on the front façade is original, dating from the 18th century, with its elegant curve and controlled proportions. The staircase on the rear facade, designed by Jobbé-Duval in 1902-1903, is a faithful copy, demonstrating a pioneering approach to heritage restoration. The architect from Rennes endeavoured to enhance the monumentality of the château without betraying its original spirit, drawing inspiration from the malouinières of the Emerald Coast - residences with imposing roofs, sober facades and rigorous symmetrical compositions. The parkland surrounding the château plays an integral part in the staging of the residence. Designed according to the principles of the Breton country garden, it provides a discreet setting for the façades, enhancing the silhouette of the building without trying to compete with the grand French compositions. Tall trees, walkways and clearings overlooking the dwelling make up an ensemble whose protection as a Historic Monument underlines its combined landscape and architectural value.
Related Figures
Jobbé-Duval (architecte rennais, auteur de la transformation de 1902-1903)Les commanditaires anonymes du XVIIIe siècle (bâtisseurs du logis originel vers 1760)Les propriétaires du tournant du XXe siècle (commanditaires de la rénovation Jobbé-Duval)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Château et parc de la Haute-Touche located?
Château et parc de la Haute-Touche is located in Monterrein, Département 56 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Château et parc de la Haute-Touche built?
Château et parc de la Haute-Touche dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Château et parc de la Haute-Touche open to visitors?
Château et parc de la Haute-Touche is currently closed to visitors.