The château de la Briantais is a château and former malouinière in Saint-Servan, now part of Saint-Malo in Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany. Built between 1850 and 1864 for Eugène Sully-Brunet, it replaced an older manor dating from 1666, although not at exactly the same location. The current building retains much of its original interior decoration and features a small bell tower resembling that of Saint-Malo city hall, which also serves as an observation point over the estuary. Around the château lies an English-style park of 27 hectares overlooking the Rance estuary. The site is registered as a historical monument and has belonged to the Ville de Saint-Malo since 1999, when it was opened to the public during the day. Its history includes ownership by the Pointel family, the Picot family, Pierre Collar, Hervé Fontan, and the Perier de Hauterive family, as well as later additions of two lateral wings shortly before 1900.

◎ Nearby Objects

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  Great Aquarium Saint-Malo 1400 m away

History and Setting of the Chateau

The chateau de la Briantais dates from 1864 and is located in the former commune of Saint-Servan, now part of Saint-Malo, in Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany. It replaced an older manor dating from 1666. Since 1999, it has belonged to the Ville de Saint-Malo. The property includes a 27-hectare English-style park overlooking the Rance estuary. The chateau is also registered as a historical monument.

Ownership History

The château de la Briantais passed through several notable owners over the centuries. It was acquired by the Pointel family, shipowners from Saint-Malo, and a manor was built there in 1666; the ruins of this building remain visible. In 1770, the property was sold to the Picot family, lords of Premesnil. During the Revolution, it was confiscated and later sold in 1803 to Pierre Collar. The estate then belonged briefly to the shipowner Herve Fontan, before passing to the Perier de Hauterive family in 1818. After the death of the Perier de Hauterive family in 1838, it was sold because of disagreements among heirs.

History and Public Use of the Chateau

The current castle at the Chateau de la Briantais was built for Eugene Sully-Brunet between 1850 and 1864, replacing the old manor, although not on exactly the same site. It retains much of its original interior decoration, which gives an idea of its 19th century appearance. A small bell tower, inspired by the bell tower of Saint-Malo city hall, forms one of its notable architectural features and serves as an effective observation point over the estuary. Around 1900, two lateral wings were added by the family of Charles Emile La Chambre, who had acquired the property in 1888. The old manor later became a cultural and spiritual center, and in 1975 Guy La Chambre donated the site to the Association diocesaine of Rennes. Because maintenance costs were high, the association decided to sell it, and the City of Saint-Malo purchased it in 1999. Since then, the castle has been open to the public during the day. It is not protected as a monument historique, yet it continues to host cultural events such as jazz and classical concerts, painting exhibitions, and poetry meetings. The park also serves as the setting for Saint-Malo's flower market every May.

The Park and Grounds

The chateau de la Briantais is set within an English-style park of 27 hectares. The grounds contain many statues, as well as several fabriques and dependencies, including a chapel dating from 1778 and a temple of Love. The commons are in a neo-Norman style and were built during the fourth quarter of the 18th century. The Grand Parc is located on the heights of the Rance estuary and provides views of Saint-Malo, Dinard, and the Rance tidal power station. The park is open daily for walking, with hours that vary according to the season.