Manoir de Lampoul Izellan
ManorHidden Treasure
Manoir de Lampoul Izellan, located in Trémargat (Département 22), 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
- Trémargat, Département 22, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 48.3437, -3.2526
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00089727
Nestling in the wilds of Kreiz Breizh, the Lampoul Izellan manor houses the soul of the first grenadier of France, Malo Corret de la Tour d'Auvergne. Gerberes, loopholes and a sundial bear witness to an unspoilt 17th-century Brittany.
History
In the lonely heights of Kreiz Breizh, in the commune of Trémargat in the heart of Côtes-d'Armor, the manor house of Lampoul Izellan stands with the austere discretion of Breton noble residences. Far from the beaten tourist track, it embodies the Breton taste for sober, proud architecture, deeply rooted in the granite of its hills. What immediately sets Lampoul Izellan apart is the singular coexistence of its defensive features and refined details. The loopholes in its thick walls are a reminder of a time of rural insecurity, while the carefully carved cornice and sundial - an almost philosophical presence on a peasant façade - reveal the cultural ambitions of its owners. The sundial, an object of knowledge and prestige in the 17th century, was a sign that the family belonged to a local elite keen to distinguish itself. But it is above all the memory of Malo Corret de la Tour d'Auvergne that gives this manor house a special aura. Born in Carhaix in 1743, this exceptional soldier - named "First Grenadier of France" by Napoleon - is closely linked to this place, which is one of the rare tangible heritage testimonies to his memory in Brittany. A visit to Lampoul Izellan is first and foremost an authentic experience. No crowds, no spectacular reconstructions: just the stone, the silence of the surrounding moors and the powerful impression of a place that has survived the centuries without betraying itself. For lovers of rural heritage and French history, this manor house, listed as a Historic Monument since 1964, offers an intimate encounter with 17th-century Brittany. The natural setting amplifies this emotion: the undulating landscapes of Kreiz Breizh, moors and beech woods, envelop the manor in an almost timeless atmosphere. Photographers and lovers of heritage walks will find it an ideal subject, away from the world.
Architecture
The Lampoul Izellan manor house belongs to the tradition of 17th-century Breton rural manor houses, characterised by their formally sober architecture in local granite. The main building, of compact and massive proportions, is two storeys high, with a steeply pitched roof typical of the Armorican climate. Cut stone is used sparingly but precisely for the window surrounds and decorative features, while granite rubble makes up the bulk of the masonry. Among the architectural features of note are the gerbières - large openings in the attic used to store crops - a reminder of the house's agricultural vocation and its place in a seigneurial rural economy. The loopholes, more unusual in the context of a non-fortified manor house, bear witness to the tensions and insecurities of rural Brittany in the 17th century, inherited from a medieval defensive tradition. The carved stone cornice below the roof adds a touch of refinement and underlines the builders' desire for social representation. The sundial is the most distinctive decorative element on the façade. Engraved directly into the stone or affixed to a sealed panel, it represents rare craftsmanship and a strong cultural statement. Together, they form a coherent and authentic example of noble Breton rural architecture, preserved in remarkable condition thanks to monumental protection.
Related Figures
Malo Corret de la Tour d'Auvergne (1743-1800) — militaire breton, nommé « premier grenadier de France » par Napoléon Bonaparte, lié au manoirNapoléon Bonaparte — qui décerna à La Tour d'Auvergne le titre honorifique de « premier grenadier de la République »Les familles seigneuriales de Trémargat — propriétaires nobles du manoir au XVIIe siècle, bâtisseurs de Lampoul IzellanLes artisans gnomistes bretons du XVIIe siècle — auteurs du cadran solaire, témoins d'un savoir-faire mathématique et artistique local
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Manoir de Lampoul Izellan located?
Manoir de Lampoul Izellan is located in Trémargat, Département 22 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Manoir de Lampoul Izellan built?
Manoir de Lampoul Izellan dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Manoir de Lampoul Izellan open to visitors?
Manoir de Lampoul Izellan is currently closed to visitors.