Manoir de la Salle
ManorHidden Treasure
Manoir de la Salle, located in Saint-Erblon (Département 35), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- Manor
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Saint-Erblon, Département 35, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 48.0231, -1.6795
- Mérimée Reference
- PA35000086
A discreet jewel in the crown of Brittany, Manoir de la Salle in Saint-Erblon boasts classic 17th-century features that were remodelled in the 19th century, and bear authentic witness to the rural gentry of Ille-et-Vilaine.
History
Nestling in the gentle bocage countryside of the commune of Saint-Erblon, on the outskirts of Rennes, Manoir de la Salle belongs to that family of Breton rural residences that have survived the centuries while retaining their intimate character and their roots in the landscape. Listed as a Historic Monument in 2019, it is a precious example of manorial architecture in Ille-et-Vilaine, combining the sobriety of the 17th century with later 19th-century interventions. What sets this manor house apart from the great residences of the region is precisely its human scale and its roots in the agricultural and social reality of Upper Brittany. There are no princely splendours here: Manoir de la Salle is the faithful portrait of a provincial nobility attached to its land, whose residence reflects both the dignity and the modesty of an existence punctuated by the seasons and seigneurial obligations. Visitors are invited to take a close look at the architectural details that reveal how the building has evolved over two centuries: the granite dressings, pedimented dormers and carefully proportioned openings bear witness to the care taken by its successive builders. Visitors with an interest in local history will find plenty of food for thought about the enduring architectural forms of inland Brittany. The setting adds to the charm of the whole. Saint-Erblon, a village on the outskirts of Rennes, still retains its hedged farmland and sunken lanes. The manor house is a natural part of this landscape, enclosed by walls and vegetation, as if time had been kind enough to spare it. A recommended stop-off for anyone exploring the rural heritage of Ille-et-Vilaine beyond the beaten tourist track.
Architecture
Manoir de la Salle is typical of 17th-century manor houses in Upper Brittany: the main building is made of granite, a material that is ubiquitous in traditional building in Ille-et-Vilaine, and its grey hue gives the whole structure the luminous austerity so typical of Breton rural architecture. The layout, probably L-shaped or in the form of a main building flanked by outbuildings, follows the usual layout of the homes of the lower nobility of the region, with the living quarters and farm outbuildings arranged around an enclosed or semi-enclosed courtyard. The external elevations bear witness to the decorative restraint typical of Breton classicism: mullioned or small-wooded windows depending on the level, carved granite surrounds, dormer windows with triangular or arched pediments rising from steeply pitched roofs covered in natural slate. The steep slope of these slate roofs meets the climatic requirements of the region, creating a slender silhouette that is characteristic of the Breton manorial landscape. Nineteenth-century alterations introduced additional features, such as zinc or terracotta finials, altered bays to improve interior lighting, and facade treatments in keeping with the romantic tastes of the time. The interior undoubtedly retains the traditional layout of a manor house of this size: a large hall or main living room on the ground floor, a stone or wooden staircase leading to the upper floors, fireplaces with granite or tufa mantels depending on the room. Taken together, these features make Manoir de la Salle a coherent and authentic example of the architectural evolution of Breton rural dwellings between the Grand Siècle and the Belle Époque.
Related Figures
Familles seigneuriales locales propriétaires aux XVIIe-XVIIIe siècles, acteurs de la construction initiale du manoirPropriétaires bourgeois du XIXe siècle, responsables des remaniements et modernisations de la demeureArchitecte diocésain ou entrepreneur local du XIXe siècle, probablement auteur des travaux de transformationInspecteurs des Monuments Historiques ayant instruit le dossier d'inscription en 2019
Tags
Nearby castles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Manoir de la Salle located?
Manoir de la Salle is located in Saint-Erblon, Département 35 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Manoir de la Salle built?
Manoir de la Salle dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Manoir de la Salle open to visitors?
Manoir de la Salle is currently closed to visitors.
