Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Malouinière de la Verderie, located in Saint-Servan (Saint-Malo), was built in the first half of the 17th century. It embodies one of the first proto-malouinries, these vast country residences built by shipowners enriched by maritime commerce and racing. His L-shaped plan, complemented by an hors-oeuvre octagonal stair tower, reveals a transition between late medieval architecture (15th-15th centuries) and emerging classicism. The symmetry of its facade on garden and its supported chimneys already announce the style of the later malouinries, symbols of the fascist of the Malouin elites.

The residence is associated with Noël Danycan (1651–1731), Lord of the Epistle and emblematic corsair of Saint-Malo. A major figure in the Indian Company and one of the largest fortunes in the kingdom, he used the malouinière as an observation post to watch for the return of his ships. In 1698 he founded the Royal Company of the South Sea, aimed at exploiting the wealth of the Chilean and Peruvian coasts, then under Spanish domination. The expeditions carried out under its auspices, such as those of Perrée du Coudray (1703–208), illustrate the Malian maritime ambition at the turn of the eighteenth century.

The house, renovated in the 18th century (addition of woodwork and a roof to the Mansart), preserves precious original elements, such as its 17th century panelling-closing. Filed at the Additional Inventory of Historic Monuments in 2000 for its house and closed garden, the site bears witness to the golden age of the malouinières, linked to the rise of the race and distant expeditions during the War of the Augsburg League. Its hybrid architecture makes it a key milestone in understanding the evolution of Breton aristocratic residences.

The Malouinière de la Verderie is also distinguished by its peripheral location in Saint-Malo, reflecting the shipowners' strategy to move away from the urban center to show their success. The stairway tower, visible from Rue Dreux, served as both a gazebo and a symbol of power. Today, the site remains a representative example of this maritime heritage, where there is a mix of private history, colonial ambition and architectural innovation.

External links