Manoir de Locmaria
ManorHidden Treasure
Manoir de Locmaria, located in Ploumagoar (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
- Ploumagoar, Département 22, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 48.5369, -3.1069
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00089495
An 18th-century Breton manor house nestling in Ploumagoar, Manoir de Locmaria boasts nine classical bays, exceptional Louis XVI panelling and a private chapel dating from 1774.
History
In the heart of the Guingamp region, Manoir de Locmaria boasts the sober, well-balanced architecture typical of 18th-century Breton nobility. Flanked by outbuildings set at right angles to each other and surrounded by an enclosed courtyard, the whole forms a coherent picture in which granite stone interacts with time and the seasons. Far from the ostentatious splendour of the nobility, this manor house embodies the discreet elegance of the Armorican landed bourgeoisie, attached to its land and its customs. What really sets Locmaria apart is the richness of its preserved interiors. The dining room, entirely clad in Louis XVI panelling of remarkable quality, is one of the best-preserved decorative ensembles in the region. The black marble fireplace opposite, added in the 19th century, adds a touch of gravity without breaking the harmony of the whole. The granite-paved floor in the entrance hall is a reminder of the sturdy building traditions of Brittany. The tour reveals a highly logical spatial organisation: a central wooden staircase leads symmetrically to the side rooms via a longitudinal corridor, a characteristic feature of gentleman's residences enlightened by French classical ideas. The nine bays of windows on the two main façades give the dwelling an air of light that is rare for a rural building of this era. The private chapel, dating from 1774 and still standing at the corner of the courtyard, adds a spiritual and intimate dimension to the ensemble. It bears witness to the discreet but profound piety of the families who made Locmaria their home over the generations. Finally, the square tower, added in the 19th century, gives the manor house a slightly romantic silhouette that is not unpleasant.
Architecture
Manoir de Locmaria has an L-shaped layout typical of 18th-century Breton rural dwellings: an elongated main building, flanked by outbuildings forming a courtyard that is open to the outside world and was once enclosed on its fourth side by more recent buildings. Local granite, the king material of Armorican architecture, structures the whole, giving the building its characteristic grey hue and robustness. The nine evenly-spaced bays on the two main elevations of the dwelling illustrate the influence of French classicism on provincial architecture, tempered by the Breton sobriety of the exterior decoration. The south facade is distinguished by a doorway framed by pilasters, the only ornamental feature on the exterior, which discreetly signals the main entrance without becoming over-emphatic. The vestibule, paved with cut granite, opens directly into the dining room, whose walls are completely covered with Louis XVI panelling of the highest quality. The central wooden staircase, sober and functional, distributes the bedrooms laterally via a longitudinal corridor, a rational organisation typical of the classical spirit applied to provincial housing. The square tower, added in the 19th century during the post-fire restoration works, breaks slightly with the horizontal rigour of the building and gives it a picturesque feel. The chapel, built in 1774 as part of the courtyard enclosure, has a gable roof and a neat granite finish in perfect harmony with the rest of the estate.
Related Figures
Famille noble de Locmaria — commanditaires présumés du manoir au XVIIIe siècleMaître maçon breton anonyme — architecte local probable du logis principal (milieu XVIIIe siècle)Propriétaire restaurateur du XIXe siècle — responsable de la reconstruction post-incendie et de l'ajout de la tour carréeFondateur de la chapelle (1774) — commanditaire de l'oratoire privé attesté par sa date de construction
Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Manoir de Locmaria located?
Manoir de Locmaria is located in Ploumagoar, Département 22 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Manoir de Locmaria built?
Manoir de Locmaria dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Manoir de Locmaria open to visitors?
Manoir de Locmaria is currently closed to visitors.