Maison dite de la Reine-Anne
MonumentHidden Treasure
Maison dite de la Reine-Anne, located in Morlaix (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
- Morlaix, Département 29, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 48.5760, -3.8266
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00090135
The medieval jewel of Morlaix, the Maison de la Reine Anne hides behind its corbelled façade a carved wooden staircase of rare virtuosity, an exceptional testimony to the golden age of Brittany.
History
In the heart of old Morlaix, on the banks of the river that winds its way through the cobbled streets, the Maison dite de la Reine Anne stands out as one of the most striking timber-framed houses in the whole of Brittany. Listed as a Historic Monument since 1883, it alone embodies the building and decorative genius of the Morlaix merchant bourgeoisie, enriched over the centuries by the trade in linen and Breton cloth. What immediately sets this building apart from other old houses is the superimposition of its corbelled storeys, with each level projecting slightly over the street, as if to defy the laws of balance. The façade, punctuated by sculpted runners and ornate corner posts, features a remarkably rich iconographic programme, combining popular figures, plant motifs and Christian symbols typical of Breton culture in the late Middle Ages. But it's inside that the house reveals its real treasure: a carved wooden spiral staircase, the workmanship of which testifies to exceptional cabinet-making skills. Each balustrade, each stringer, each stair nosing seems to have been conceived as a work in its own right, offering the attentive visitor a lesson in woodcarving as they make their way upstairs. The visit is particularly moving in the late morning, when the light filters through the half-timbered houses of the Grand-Rue and illuminates the relief of the sandpits. The house is part of a remarkably well-preserved medieval quarter, where the stone alleys and staircases are an invitation to stroll and discover. Photographers and illustrators will find a new angle at every turn. Although Morlaix is often celebrated for its monumental viaduct and bustling port, the Maison de la Reine Anne is a reminder that the town's roots lie in an unsuspectedly rich medieval past, and that its alleyways are home to some of the most valuable domestic architecture in Finistère.
Architecture
The Maison de la Reine Anne is an accomplished example of Breton timber-framed architecture from the late Middle Ages and early Renaissance. Its street-facing facade is built over several corbelled levels, with each storey gradually overhanging the public thoroughfare in accordance with a structural principle that makes it possible to increase the living space without encroaching on the floor area. The corner posts, runners and overhangs are adorned with sculptures depicting human figures, fantastical animals and stylised plant motifs, in an iconography that blends late Gothic influences with early Renaissance accents. The interior layout follows the typical model of Morlaix-style houses: a central covered courtyard, topped by a lantern or skylight, around which the rooms on the different levels are arranged. It is in this distribution space that the most precious feature of the house is located: a carved wooden spiral staircase, whose banisters and balustrades bear witness to the remarkable skill of the cabinet-maker. The fine joinery, meticulous assembly of the timbers and quality of the carving make it an anthology of Breton decorative art of the period. The materials used are those of the regional building tradition: oak for the framework and the sculpted elements, local cut stone for the plinths and window surrounds. The roof has a steep slope, as befits the Breton climate, and is covered in natural slate. Despite the successive restorations, the stylistic coherence of the whole building reveals the architectural and decorative ambitions of its original owners.
Related Figures
Anne de Bretagne (1477-1514) — reine de France dont le souvenir populaire est attaché à la maison, bien que le lien historique direct reste légendaireCharles VIII — époux d'Anne de Bretagne, sous le règne duquel s'épanouit l'architecture bretonne de la fin du XVe siècleLouis XII — second époux d'Anne de Bretagne, roi sous lequel la Bretagne connaît son dernier essor avant l'union à la FranceProsper Mérimée — inspecteur général des Monuments Historiques, dont l'action précède le classement de 1883 et pose les bases de la protection du patrimoine civil médiéval en FranceLes marchands drapiers morlaisiens — commanditaires anonymes de ces demeures bourgeoises, dont la fortune reposait sur le commerce des toiles de lin bretonnes
Tags
Nearby castles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Maison dite de la Reine-Anne located?
Maison dite de la Reine-Anne is located in Morlaix, Département 29 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Maison dite de la Reine-Anne built?
Maison dite de la Reine-Anne dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Maison dite de la Reine-Anne open to visitors?
Maison dite de la Reine-Anne is currently closed to visitors.
