Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Château de Montmarin was built in 1760 by Aaron-Pierre Magon du Bosc, a member of an influential family of Malouin shipowners. Its architecture, with a body of very high house on the courtyard and overturned roofs on the garden side, distinguishes it from traditional malouinières. It dominates the Rance estuary and is part of a landscaped estate structured by successive terraces.

The castle's gardens combine two distinct periods: 18th-century French gardens, designed during its construction, and a romantic part created in 1885 for the Bazin family of Jessey. These spaces descend towards the Rance through four terraces, combining classical gardens and landscaped park. The estate was partially transformed into a shipyard in the 18th century under Benjamin Dubois, before being restored and embellished in the late 19th century.

Ranked a Historic Monument since 1966 for its facades, roofs and interior decorations (woodhouses, ceilings), the castle is classified in 1995. Its gardens, recognized as "Remarkable Garden", combine historical heritage and botanical collections. The site also preserves an 18th century chapel and commons organized around a court of honour, illustrating the architectural and landscape evolution of the estate.

The castle embodies the history of the Malian elites, linked to the maritime trade. Aaron Magon, his sponsor, belonged to a dynasty shipowners, while the Bazins of Jessey, later owners, marked his evolution towards a romantic style. The 19th century transformations, such as the suppression of the main staircase or the addition of arcades, reflect the tastes of the era and the adaptation of the estate to new functions.

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