Maison de Lamballe
MonumentHidden Treasure
Maison de Lamballe, located in Lamballe (Département 22), 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
- Lamballe, Département 22, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 48.4697, -2.5153
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00089228
Au cœur de Lamballe, cette maison ancienne classée Monument Historique dévoile l'authenticité de l'architecture civile bretonne médiévale, avec ses pans de bois sculptés et ses encorbellements caractéristiques des cités d'Armor.
History
Nestling in the narrow streets of Lamballe, the former capital of the Duchy of Penthièvre, this timber-framed house is one of the most precious examples of Breton medieval civil architecture in the Côtes-d'Armor region. Its presence in the town's historic urban fabric is a reminder that, for several centuries, Lamballe was a political and commercial centre of considerable importance in eastern Brittany. What makes this residence truly unique is the quality of its exposed timber structure, typical of the half-timbered houses that once dotted the busy streets of prosperous Breton towns. The carpentry joints, ornate runners and corner posts bear witness to the exceptional skills of the local carpenters, heirs to a tradition dating back to the early Middle Ages. In a region where granite stone often ends up dominating the built landscape, these wooden structures are a precious exception. To visit this house is to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a medieval Breton town that is still very much alive. In the leaning silhouette of the corbelled storeys, the attentive visitor can see the pragmatic logic of builders concerned with maximising living space without encroaching further on the street. The patina of the wood, darkened by the centuries, contrasts with the light-coloured rendering of the infill, creating the chromatic play that is so characteristic of timber-framed houses in Brittany. Lamballe's urban setting adds to the experience: the nearby collegiate church of Notre-Dame, perched on its hillock, the Place du Martray and its other old houses make up a coherent whole that allows visitors to grasp Breton medieval town planning in its entirety. The house, listed in 1926, is an essential piece of this rare historical jigsaw.
Architecture
The house in Lamballe belongs to the type of half-timbered civil architecture typical of Breton towns in the Middle Ages and the early Renaissance. Its structure is based on a solid oak frame, with uprights, runners and braces forming a geometric network visible on the façade, with the gaps filled in with cob or brick walling. One of the distinctive features of this architecture, which is both aesthetically pleasing and functional, is its corbelled arrangement of storeys, with each level slightly overhanging the one below. The decorative elements of the roof structure deserve particular attention: the sculpted corner posts, moulded runners and carved wooden brackets reveal the care taken by the craftsmen to decorate the façade, reflecting the social status of the client. The roof, which is probably covered in slate in the Armorican tradition, follows the sloping profile typical of the Breton climate, designed to quickly drain away the frequent rainfall. Inside, the layout of the rooms probably followed the usual layout of these homes: a ground floor used for commercial or craft purposes, extended by residential floors served by a wooden spiral staircase. Carved lintels, monumental fireplaces in local granite and wide-plank oak floors are all typical of this type of 15th-16th century Breton building.
Related Figures
Les charpentiers bretons médiévaux, artisans anonymes bâtisseurs de l'ossature en chêneLes ducs de Penthièvre, dont la présence à Lamballe favorisa l'essor architectural de la citéLes bourgeois et marchands lamballais du XVe-XVIe siècle, commanditaires de ces demeuresLes érudits et antiquaires bretons du XIXe siècle, pionniers de la protection du patrimoineLes architectes des Bâtiments de France ayant supervisé la restauration au XXe siècle
Tags
Nearby castles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Maison de Lamballe located?
Maison de Lamballe is located in Lamballe, Département 22 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Maison de Lamballe built?
Maison de Lamballe dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Maison de Lamballe open to visitors?
Maison de Lamballe is currently closed to visitors.
