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Origin and history

The Château de Vaucouleurs, attested as early as 1248, was originally owned by the family of Vaucouleurs. In 1410, he moved to Guillaume de Guitté, then in 1427 became the meeting place of the Ban and the rear-ban of Brittany convened by the Duke Jean V against the English. This strategic site illustrates the military tensions of the period between the Duchy of Brittany and the Kingdom of England.

Reborn in the 16th century under Guy de Guitté and his wife Jacquemine de Boisrioult, the castle is marked by a marital drama involving Briand de Chateaubriant, rival of Guitté. The estate then passed to the families of Espinay and then Boishue, who partially dismantled it around 1770 to build a new castle in Yvignac-la-Tour. The current remains include an outstanding tower, a dovecote and portal elements.

The tower, uncluttered during World War II, incorporates a curved door and skylights characteristic of military architecture. The adjacent house, with its large chimneys and segment arched windows, reflects the influence of Renaissance military engineers. Partially listed as Historic Monuments in 1926, the site now protects the small gate, the remains of the gate and the stair turret.

The historical sources, including the work of the Dinan historian Monier (1975) and the studies of Lionel Besnard (2023), underline his role in feudal conflicts and his evolution in farming. The dovecote and the remains of the portal bear witness to its former seigneurial organization, while the 18th century modifications mark its decline as a noble residence.

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