Maison ou hôtel de Bretagne
MonumentHidden Treasure
Maison ou hôtel de Bretagne, located in Rennes (Département 35), 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
- Rennes, Département 35, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 48.1140, -1.6802
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00090689
A Renaissance gem in the old town of Rennes, the Hôtel de Bretagne boasts scroll-sculpted beams dating from 1586, a rare example of 16th-century Breton civil architecture.
History
In the heart of old Rennes, the Hôtel de Bretagne stands as one of the most precious examples of Breton civil architecture from the second half of the 16th century. Spared by the great fire of 1720 that ravaged much of the historic centre, this timber-framed residence alone embodies the prosperity and refinement of the Rennes bourgeoisie during the Renaissance. What immediately sets the building apart is the remarkable double line of carved exposed beams that runs above the ground floor. Divided into four panels, it features a programme of extremely fine ornamentation: Renaissance foliage with elaborate plant interlacing, and, in the last panel, two escutcheons proudly bearing the date 1586 - a chronological anchor that makes it possible to date part of the work with certainty. This type of carved decoration on the runners of half-timbered houses is typical of Breton middle-class homes of the period, but the Hôtel de Bretagne is one of the most carefully preserved examples in Rennes. A visit here is a particularly rewarding experience for those who like to decipher stone and wood like a text. Each sculpted motif tells the story of the social and cultural ambitions of its patrons, who were profoundly influenced by the artistic currents that came from Italy and spread to France via the royal building sites along the Loire. The façade, with its rhythmic pattern of beams and corbels, is in harmonious harmony with the other timber-framed houses in the medieval and Renaissance quarter of Rennes. The setting of Old Rennes adds an extra dimension to the visit: the cobbled streets, colourful half-timbered houses and lively atmosphere of the historic centre make this district one of the finest preserved urban areas in Brittany. The Hôtel de Bretagne stands out with elegant discretion, rewarding the attentive eye of the curious stroller.
Architecture
The Hôtel de Bretagne is a timber-framed house typical of Breton Renaissance architecture, with a ground floor and two upper storeys. Its façade on the street is based on the traditional composition of 16th-century bourgeois houses in Rennes, with an exposed half-timbered structure whose infill could be made of cob or brick, depending on the section, and progressively corbelled upper storeys, a construction technique common in Breton towns to maximise the height of living space. The most remarkable architectural feature is the double line of carved exposed beams that extends over the ground floor, forming a richly decorated eaves. Divided into four separate panels, the first three feature sumptuous Renaissance rinceaux - interlacing foliage, coiled stems and plant motifs characteristic of the ornamental repertoire that spread throughout France in the mid-16th century under the influence of the Fontainebleau workshops. The fourth panel, which is more heraldic, features two escutcheons, one of which is dated 1586, a discreet but precious signature of the work campaign. This type of woodcarving decoration, typical of Renaissance bourgeois homes in Brittany and Normandy, required highly skilled carpenters with a mastery of both structure and ornamentation. The quality of the scrollwork on the Hôtel de Bretagne makes it one of the finest examples of this craftsmanship to be found in the historic centre of Rennes.
Related Figures
Famille Bretagne — bourgeois rennais ayant donné leur nom à la demeure à partir de 1687Commanditaire anonyme de 1586 — vraisemblablement un bourgeois rennais ayant financé le décor sculpté RenaissanceCharpentiers-sculpteurs rennais du XVIe siècle — artisans auteurs des rinceaux et écussons de la sablière
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Maison ou hôtel de Bretagne located?
Maison ou hôtel de Bretagne is located in Rennes, Département 35 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Maison ou hôtel de Bretagne built?
Maison ou hôtel de Bretagne dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Maison ou hôtel de Bretagne open to visitors?
Maison ou hôtel de Bretagne is currently closed to visitors.