Malouinière de la Ville-Bague
ManorHidden Treasure
Malouinière de la Ville-Bague, located in Saint-Coulomb (Département 35), 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
- Saint-Coulomb, Département 35, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 48.6786, -1.9192
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00090774
An elegant 17th-century malouinière nestling in Saint-Coulomb, the former home of the Magon de la Chipaudière family, with its French-style terraces, private chapel and landscaped grounds, offers a journey through the art of living in Saint-Coulomb.
History
In the heart of the golden countryside of the Malouin region, just a stone's throw from the ramparts of Saint-Malo, Ville-Bague stands out as one of the most evocative Malouinières on the Emerald Coast. This estate, whose soul bears the imprint of the great merchant dynasties who made the fortunes of the corsair town, combines classical domestic architecture and the art of French-style gardens in rare harmony. The malouinière, an architectural style typical of the Malouin hinterland, is distinguished by its sober, balanced volumes, its austere silhouette enhanced by refined details, and above all by the skilful articulation of its outdoor spaces. At La Ville-Bague, this art reaches a particular achievement: the tiered terraces, heirs to an eighteenth-century geometric plan, descend in successive levels to a park whose perspective inspires a feeling of serene mastery of the landscape. Visitors will discover a coherent ensemble - dwelling, chapel and gardens - that bears witness to the social and cultural ambitions of the shipowners of Saint Malo. The private chapel, intimate and well cared for, is a reminder that these merchant families never forgot to combine piety with commerce. The nineteenth-century landscaped park, reconstructed on the basis of the old layout, adds a romantic layer to this site already steeped in history. The rose garden and kitchen garden, laid out on terraces, are invitations to take a slow, sensory stroll. For the photographer, the early hours of the morning reveal the low-angled light on the dark granite walls, giving the estate all its melancholy depth. For the regional history buff, each stone is a chapter in the epic story of the great families who built France's maritime power.
Architecture
La Ville-Bague faithfully illustrates the type of classic Malouinière: a rectangular dwelling with elevations in local granite, sober and squat, whose balanced proportions evoke the measure and solidity characteristic of the domestic architecture of the Malouin region in the 17th and 18th centuries. The façades, punctuated by regular bays of mullioned or transomed windows, reflect the mastery of a rigorous architectural programme, which is not excessively ostentatious but not devoid of elegance. The private chapel, built against or close to the main building in accordance with the custom of the great families of Saint Malo, contributes to the overall composition and bears witness to the ostentatious piety of its patrons. Its modest volumes, slate roof and granite units place it in the same architectural register as the main building. The garden is the real distinguishing feature of the estate. Its layout of tiered terraces, the enclosure and layout of the first two of which have been preserved, reflects a mastery of French landscaping techniques. The masonry retaining walls structure the levels and delimit the spaces, while the 19th-century rose garden and kitchen garden bear witness to changing horticultural tastes. The buildings and landscaping form a coherent whole, typical of the lifestyle of the shipowners of Saint Malo in their country homes.
Related Figures
Les Magon de la Chipaudière — famille d'armateurs et négociants malouins, propriétaires du domaine à partir de 1695 et commanditaires du logis et de la chapelleNicolas Magon de la Chipaudière — représentant éminent de la lignée, armateur et financier actif dans le grand commerce maritime du début du XVIIIe siècleJean Magon de la Chipaudière — membre de la famille ayant contribué au développement des expéditions vers les Indes orientales depuis Saint-MaloRené Magon de la Lande — issu de la même souche familiale des Magon, personnalité influente de la marine et du négoce malouin au tournant des XVIIe-XVIIIe siècles
Tags
Nearby castles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Malouinière de la Ville-Bague located?
Malouinière de la Ville-Bague is located in Saint-Coulomb, Département 35 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Malouinière de la Ville-Bague built?
Malouinière de la Ville-Bague dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Malouinière de la Ville-Bague open to visitors?
Malouinière de la Ville-Bague is currently closed to visitors.
