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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The house dated 1538, located in Josselin, Brittany, is a rare example of civil architecture of the 2nd quarter of the 16th century combining tradition and innovation. Its lateral stone walls contrast with a wooden panel facade, typical of the Breton buildings of the period. The date "1538" is engraved on the façade, while a upper sandstone bears coats of arms supported by an angel, highlighting the social status of its sponsor. The spindle pilasters on the ground floor and the remains of an enigmatic inscription (OVN/OVYERE) on the north cornel post testify to a careful ornamentation, characteristic of the first Renaissance in Brittany.

According to historian Leloup, this house is the oldest in the region to have a reborn decor among the wood-paned houses still standing. Transformed in the mid-twentieth century, however, it retained original elements protected since 1933, such as its façade and roof. Its historic address, Grande-Rue (now Georges-Le-Berd Street), places the building in the heart of the medieval city, reflecting its importance in the urban fabric of Josselin.

The protection under the Historic Monuments in 1933 covers only the facade and roof (frame AD 535), highlighting its heritage value despite subsequent modifications. The construction techniques combine local know-how (pan of wood) and new influences (sculpted decorations), illustrating the transition between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance in Brittany. Partial inscription and coat of arms remain puzzles for researchers, perhaps evoking a lineage or motto that is now forgotten.

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