Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de Gazon, located in the commune of Pocé-les-Bois (Ille-et-Vilaine), has its origins in the Middle Ages as a strong house. This defensive site, surrounded by moat, served as a refuge for Protestants in the late 16th century, reflecting the religious tensions of the time. The Busson family, who owned it from the 15th century, marked its history with this early occupation.

In the 17th century, the old medieval house was completely rebuilt, partially erasing the traces of the original strong house. Only the posterior facade, in schist bellows, still bears witness to this transition between epochs. The sandstone berries and defensive elements, such as moat, were preserved, integrating the new building into its humid and hilly environment.

The 19th century brought about major transformations, with the addition of a facade ordered south side to create reception rooms on the first floor. The interior was entirely renovated in a contemporary style, while the park was built by exploiting the medieval moat and natural relief. A 1.3 km access rabine, bordered by trees, as well as a vegetable garden, stables and a farm (later destroyed by a dam) complete the whole. The Rennes architect Frédéric Jobbé-Duval influenced the polychrome style of the guardian's chalet, added at the end of the century.

Ranked a Historic Monument in 1992, the castle preserves protected elements such as the north façade, the 19th century pavilion, moats and the rabine. The restorations, notably that of 1910 by entrepreneur Sylvain Brunet, sought to preserve this heritage combining medieval heritage, classicism and landscaped romanticism. Today, the site illustrates the architectural and social evolution of a Breton seigneury over nearly six centuries.

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