Deux maisons formant un ensemble
MonumentHidden Treasure
Deux maisons formant un ensemble, located in Quimper (Département 29), 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
- Quimper, Département 29, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 47.9975, -4.1026
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00090345
In the heart of old Quimper, this group of two 16th-century houses epitomises Breton civil architecture in all its splendour: carved timber-framed walls, corbelled ceilings and old-fashioned facades blend in with the neighbouring cathedral.
History
Nestling in the medieval maze of Quimper's historic centre, these two houses together form one of the most eloquent examples of Breton Renaissance civil architecture. At a time when the Cornish city was experiencing remarkable economic growth thanks to the cloth and maritime trades, wealthy middle-class citizens were building homes that were both functional and ostentatious, of which this ensemble is one of the best-preserved examples. What makes these houses truly singular is the architectural coherence of their ensemble: designed or remodelled in a common spirit in the 16th century, they form a rare urban composition, bearing witness to private planning that was uncommon for the period. The timber-framed facades typical of Breton towns, with their finely worked half-timbering and successive corbels projecting the upper storeys above the street, create a particularly striking interplay of volumes and shadows. The visit begins in the street: stop to observe the sculpted details of the runners and corner posts, often decorated with plant motifs, grotesque heads or popular figures typical of the Breton Renaissance. These naïve and expressive decorations, carved from local oak, tell the story of the life and beliefs of the Quimper bourgeoisie at the time of François I. Listed as Historic Monuments since 1932, these buildings are part of an exceptional urban fabric: just a stone's throw from Saint-Corentin Cathedral and the cobbled streets along the Odet, they help to make Quimper one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Brittany. The surrounding district, with its corbelled houses and old signs, is an incomparable place to stroll if you want to immerse yourself in 16th-century Brittany.
Architecture
These two houses faithfully illustrate the vocabulary of 16th-century Breton civil architecture. Built using the timber-frame technique, their façades are distinguished by a network of oak half-timbering forming a geometric grid punctuated by vertical posts and cross braces. Successive corbels allow each storey to overhang slightly onto the street, maximising living space while creating a distinctive silhouette that casts a soft gloom over the lane. The sculpted elements are the main decorative feature. The runners - the horizontal beams connecting the posts - are often adorned with foliage scrolls, twists or geometric friezes directly inspired by the Renaissance repertoire. The corner posts at the corners of the façades may feature figures in the round: grotesque figures, fantastic animals or protective saints reflecting the imagination of the period. The window frames, with stone or wooden mullions depending on the level, add a touch of delayed Gothic verticality typical of Brittany in the early 16th century. The roof, which has a steep slope to suit Brittany's climatic requirements, is covered in slate, the king material in Cornouaille, extracted from the region's quarries. The interior features exposed beams, fireplaces with carved lintels and solid wood floors, as was customary in middle-class houses of the period. The layout of the two main buildings as a whole bears witness to a thoughtful approach to the organisation of urban space, rare for private buildings of this period.
Related Figures
Bourgeois quimpérois commanditaire inconnu (XVIe siècle), probable marchand ou officier de justice ayant financé la construction de l'ensembleMaîtres charpentiers bretons du XVIe siècle, artisans anonymes responsables des décors sculptés sur boisMembres de la Société archéologique du Finistère (XIXe siècle), érudits locaux ayant œuvré pour la reconnaissance du patrimoine quimpéroisInspecteurs des Monuments Historiques (années 1930), auteurs de la décision d'inscription du 3 juin 1932
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Deux maisons formant un ensemble located?
Deux maisons formant un ensemble is located in Quimper, Département 29 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Deux maisons formant un ensemble built?
Deux maisons formant un ensemble dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Deux maisons formant un ensemble open to visitors?
Deux maisons formant un ensemble is currently closed to visitors.