Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de la Villedubois, located in Mordelles en Ille-et-Vilaine, is an architectural complex built between the 17th and 19th centuries. Coming from a medieval mansion transformed into a long, sober building, it mixes wood, raw soil (drain) and stone, reflecting local constructive techniques. The chapel, dedicated to the eighteenth century, and the agricultural communes complete this area, marked by its Protestant history and its adaptation to noble lifestyles.

Acquired in 1647 by Farcy's family, originally from Normandy and established in Brittany, the castle remains their property. A Protestant centre during the League's wars, it evolved in the 19th century with the creation of an English-language park, replacing the old gardens. The house body, unified by 19th-century changes, preserves medieval elements such as beams painted with family coat of arms.

The architecture incorporates a variety of styles: south facade with low windows to enjoy the light, neo-Renaissance pavilion added to the 20th century, and earth dependencies (bauge) typical of the region. The Baroque chapel, with its tuffeau portal decorated with Farcy's weapons, and the circular dovecote on earth illustrate the diversity of constructions. The estate, which was listed as a historical monument in 2014, bears witness to a seigneury adapted to social and landscape developments.

The castle also includes a barnyard with barn, a vegetable garden moved in the 19th century, and a partially preserved moat network. Interiors, such as the painted beams hunting room or the library, combine 17th to 19th century decorations. The ensemble, structured around a landscape park inspired by the Bühler brothers, reflects the influence of architectural and horticultural trends of the time.

Farcy's Huguenote family from Pont-Farcy (Calvados) marked the history of the estate. Their continued presence since 1647 makes it a rare example of uninterrupted transmission. The castle, with its defensive elements (fossed) and agricultural spaces, illustrates the transition between medieval mansion and modern noble residence, while preserving traces of its Protestant and seigneurial past.

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