Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Trécesson Castle, located in Campeneac (Morbihan), is a rare example of a medieval Breton castle that has retained its original appearance. Built mainly between the late 14th and 17th centuries, it is distinguished by its purplish shale walls and its pond surrounding the moat. Private property since its construction, it was classified as a Historic Monument in 1922, with an extension of protection in 2012 and 2014 covering its estate and surroundings. Its architecture combines an entrance castle flanked by towers, a trapezoidal inner courtyard, and domestic buildings including a 16th century seigneurial chapel.

The Trecesson family, which has been attested since the 13th century, is at the origin of its construction. Jean de Trécessson, chamberlain of the Duke John IV of Brittany, would be the sponsor around 1400. The castle then passed to the Carné-Trécesson by marriage in 1440, then to the Le Preste de Châteaugiron in 1773. During the Revolution, it housed the girondin MP Jacques Defermon, hidden for 18 months. In the 19th century, it became a school of agriculture before passing into the hands of the Perrian families of Crenan, Montesquieu, then Pruné until its sale in 2022.

The castle is famous for its legends, including that of the White Lady, a fiancée buried alive for having "honored" her family, and that of the Ghost Players, linked to a haunted room on the second floor. Other stories evoke a headless parish priest and the Manoir du Pied d'Anon, where a Marquis gained his lost land. These legends, often linked to tragic or supernatural events, have been compiled since the 19th century and contribute to its mystery.

The architectural ensemble includes defensive elements (doves, mâchicoulis) and domestic fittings (columbier of 1,800 bolts, bread oven, washer). The chapel, backed by a rectangular farm, features an ogival window decorated with animal sculptures and lily flowers. Inside, a vaulted room preserves murals depicting the Loves of Renaud and Armide, integrated into the old oven. The woodwork of the 17th and 18th centuries bears witness to subsequent changes.

Ranked among the 100 places to see by France 5 in 2023, the castle attracts for its history and enchanting setting, close to the forest of Broceliande. It is partially open to visit, offering a journey through time between medieval architecture, Renaissance decors and legendary narratives. Its dovecote, an indicator of the original area of the estate (900 hectares), and its swivel scale are remarkable remains of its seigneurial past.

External links