Manoir du Laz
ManorHidden Treasure
Manoir du Laz, located in Arzano (Département 29), 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
- Arzano, Département 29, Bretagne
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 47.9082, -3.4509
- Mérimée Reference
- PA29000051
In the heart of Finistère, the Manoir du Laz boasts a fascinating architectural décor where flamboyant Gothic, Renaissance and neo-Gothic styles blend in surprising harmony. Its sculpted vaulted staircase is an exceptional piece of work.
History
Nestling in the commune of Arzano, on the edge of southern Finistère, the Manoir du Laz is one of those discreet buildings that inland Brittany conceals with a certain pride. Built in the first half of the 16th century, this seigniorial dwelling occupies the north side of an enclosed courtyard, a layout typical of Breton manorial architecture, which combines defence, representation and domestic life in a single coherent architectural gesture. What immediately distinguishes the Manoir du Laz is the uniqueness of its courtyard façade: a composite and deliberately heterogeneous décor, blending reminiscences of late Gothic with classical borrowings and neo-Gothic additions. Far from being the result of a whim, this superimposition of styles bears witness to the successive ambitions of its owners, their changing tastes and the remodelling that has punctuated the building's history over several centuries. The result is a lively, almost narrative façade, which the eye wanders over with renewed pleasure. Inside, the original layout has been remarkably well preserved, with the exception of the entrance hall and beams. But it is the staircase, housed in the rear part of the dwelling, that is the real revelation of the manor house. Cross-vaulted at each level and richly sculpted, its generous proportions and the quality of its decoration give it an architectural presence that is rare for a building of this scale. It's easy to imagine it being used by generations of lords in full regalia. The setting contributes to the unique atmosphere of the place. Once accompanied by a chapel and a mill that have now disappeared, the manor house is part of the rural landscape of inland Finistère, far from the beaten tourist track. It is this very discretion that makes it so charming: to visit the Manoir du Laz is to enter a fragment of Breton history, preserved from the hustle and bustle of the world.
Architecture
The Manoir du Laz is in the tradition of 16th-century Breton manorial architecture, characterised by the grouping of buildings around an enclosed courtyard. The main dwelling occupies the north side of this courtyard, in a layout that allows plenty of sunlight into the living areas while providing a representative facade facing the outdoor reception area. The courtyard façade is the most eloquent piece of architecture in the complex: it features a remarkable composite décor, with a blend of flamboyant Gothic, classical and neo-Gothic additions, testifying to the successive restoration campaigns that have enriched the building over more than three centuries. The interior holds the most memorable surprise. While the overall layout - organisation of the rooms and main corridors - is faithful to the original plan, it is the staircase at the back of the dwelling that attracts the most attention. Cross-vaulted on each level, it is distinguished by its generous dimensions and the quality of its sculpted decoration: mouldings, hanging keys and other ornamental motifs reveal the hand of Breton craftsmen with a perfect mastery of the late Gothic repertoire. The staircase is rightly considered to be the centrepiece of the dwelling. The materials used are those naturally dictated by the region: local granite, a hard stone that can withstand the Finistère winters, is the raw material used throughout. The addition at the beginning of the 20th century, in the form of a terraced pavilion, introduces a different volumetry without compromising the legibility of the medieval and Renaissance ensemble. Despite its successive layers, the manor house retains a spatial coherence that makes it particularly interesting for studying the evolution of architectural taste in Lower Brittany.
Related Figures
Le seigneur bâtisseur de la première moitié du XVIe siècle, commanditaire du logis originel dont l'identité précise reste à établirLe maître maçon ou tailleur de pierre breton ayant conçu l'escalier voûté sculpté, probablement issu d'un atelier actif dans le Finistère méridionalLe propriétaire de la fin du XVIe ou du début du XVIIe siècle, auteur des remaniements qui introduisirent le décor classique sur la façadeLe propriétaire du début du XXe siècle, responsable de l'adjonction du pavillon en terrasse
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Manoir du Laz located?
Manoir du Laz is located in Arzano, Département 29 department, Bretagne region, France.
When was Manoir du Laz built?
Manoir du Laz dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Manoir du Laz open to visitors?
Manoir du Laz is currently closed to visitors.