Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Maison de la Mère Pourcel, located in the 3rd of the Place des Merciers in Dinan (Côtes-d的Armor), is an emblematic building of the 15th century, with extensions dated from the 18th century. A dating by dendrochronology confirmed its construction in 1458, while its north enlargement, made with wood felled between late 1703 and early 1704, bears witness to its architectural evolution. Ranked a historic monument in 1961 for its facades and roofs, it was owned by the city and housed a restaurant before it was destroyed by fire on the night of June 22-23, 2019. The fire, which mobilized 84 firefighters and damaged two nearby buildings, was confined at 0600 in the morning, but caused the major loss of this heritage.

The house, originally called the house of Saint-Dinan, was a remarkable example of wood-paned architecture, with corbellations, clearways, and decorative elements such as accolades. His plan included a shop on the ground floor, a courtyard to the west, and adjoining outbuildings of the old halls. Internal changes, particularly in the 18th century, reflect its adaptation to multiple rental uses. A stone screw staircase in the cellar, possibly from an earlier condition, and a wooden staircase in use raise questions about the earlier construction phases.

The archaeological diagnosis of 2021 revealed several phases of construction: a first hypothetical building, the house of Saint-Dinan built in 1457/58 by Robinet Guérin (then prosecutor-syndic of Dinan), a north extension in 1547, and an enlargement in 1703/04. After its acquisition by the Town Hall in 1934, two restoration campaigns ( 1930s and post-classification in 1961) aimed to preserve its authenticity, such as the removal of facade coatings or the restoration of the windows with a skeleton. Despite the 2019 fire, the desire for reconstruction, supported by the Brittany region and the Fondation du Patrimoine, demonstrates its importance for local memory.

The island of Old Dinan, of which Mother Pourcel is part, illustrates the medieval and modern urban evolution of the city. The disappearance of the Voûte district has opened its eastern facade, revealing its integration into a once denser urban fabric. The chimneys, decorated with chamfered pelts, and the modifications of the 16th and 18th centuries (such as the partial petrification of the southern facade) reflect the successive adaptations of the building. Fragments of 18th-century wallpaper, discovered during studies, evoke his domestic occupation.

The 2019 fire marked a turning point in the history of the monument. The mayor of Dinan announced a reconstruction project, based on a call for donations and institutional partnerships. The clearing works, started on June 25, 2019, sought to save the architectural elements still intact. Although the building was severely damaged, its classification and status as a communal property make it a symbol of Breton heritage resilience.

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