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Origin and history

The château de Chef-du-Bois, located in Pencran (near Landerneau), finds its origins in a 15th century mansion built by Jean Guérault, of which no trace remains today. The present building, rebuilt in the 17th century according to a U plan, was profoundly transformed by the Marquis de Kerlozrec at the end of the same century. The latter appealed to the Brest architect Le Petit, a student of Mansart and Le Nôtre, for an ambitious project including the demolition of the east wing, the modification of the roof roof at the Mansart, and the beginning of a garden with a basin.

The planned work, considered too costly, was only partially carried out. Only the chapel, originally planned in the plans, was added in 1777, long after the first transformations. The present complex, heteroclite, however, retains a quality architecture, combining 17th century heritage and subsequent additions. The facades, roofs, inside staircase, courtyard, cloister, dovecote and walkway have been protected since 1992 by an inscription in the Historical Monuments.

The castle illustrates the architectural evolutions of Brittany between Classicism and Lights, while reflecting the financial constraints and property changes that marked its history. Its present state, far from the original projects, reflects the successive adaptations suffered by the aristocratic residences of the region.

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