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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The castle of Chalonge, located in Trevron, Brittany, is a hybrid monument combining a 15th century fortified granite tower and a residence of the Second Renaissance (17th century) decorated with Falun limestone. The tower, partially redesigned, preserves defensive elements such as a round road and mâchicoulis, while the Renaissance facade, next to the tower, is distinguished by its triangular pediments, cornices and richly carved chimney stumps. This architectural contrast illustrates the evolution of the site, from a medieval fortress to a modernised aristocratic residence.

The seigneury of Chalonge was attested from the 13th century with Olivier du Chalonge, a knight mentioned in 1253 and 1277 in acts related to the priory of Léhon. His son John, quoted in 1304 in the will of the Duke John II of Brittany, bears a seal on the six pins of the eperon. In the 14th century, the fief passed to the Breil family: Roland du Breil (1370–169) and his son Olivier, whose 800 books of income in 1480 emphasized the feudal importance of the estate. The reconstruction of the castle at that time marked the climax of their power, symbolized by the remaining tower.

At the end of the 16th century, Rolland du Breil, knight of the Order of the King and handler of the nobility of Saint-Malo, undertook an ambitious renovation of the castle. The modifications include large rectangular bays, dormant skylights, and Falun limestone chimneys, reflecting its high social status. His coat of arms (a silver lion on azure background, surrounded by the Saint-Michel necklace) adorn the facades, alongside those of his wife Françoise de Boislehou, daughter of another knight of the King's order. These transformations coincide with the military and courtesan ascent of the Breil.

The French Revolution marks a turning point: the coats of arms of the façade are hammered, partially erasing the legacy of the Breil. In the 19th century, Albertine de Kerhoënt and Pierre-Henri-Rémy Ruinart de Brimont, married in 1895, restored the castle without completing their project of reconstruction of the left wing. Their weapons (lose silver and sand for her; golden chevron and silver heart for him) always appear above the entrance door. Ranked a historic monument in 1926, the castle today bears witness to seven centuries of history, from medieval knights to noble families of the Renaissance and modern times.

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