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Origin and history

The Château-Gaillard de Vannes, also known as the former Hôtel du Parlement de Bretagne, is a mansion built in the early 15th century (circa 1430-1440) on land originally belonging to the knights of Saint John of Jerusalem. He owes his name to Gaillard Tournemine, a former owner of the land, but his adjective "gaillard" mainly reflects the quality of its construction. The building is commissioned by Jean de Malestroit, bishop of Nantes and chancellor of the Duke Jean V of Brittany, who makes it a remarkable medieval residence by its architecture, including two houses, staircases and Renaissance woodwork.

In 1457, the Duke Pierre II of Brittany bought the Château-Gaillard to install the Parliament of Brittany, which was there until 1532, the date of the union of Brittany with France. The building then serves as an audience and residence for the Speaker of Parliament. After the transfer of Parliament to Rennes in 1554, King Henry II sold the hotel, which passed into the hands of noble families such as the Botherel and the Serent. In the 17th century, Pierre de Sérent added the famous cabinet of the Fathers of the Desert, a set of 66 painted panels inspired by the engravings of Maarten de Vos.

In the 20th century, the Morbihan Polymathic Society acquired the Château-Gaillard in 1912 and transformed it into a museum of history and archaeology in 2000. Ranked a Historic Monument since 1913, the building preserves medieval and Renaissance elements, such as a boat frame, monumental chimneys and 17th-century panelling. The Stone of Justice, a Breton memorial from the 8th to 10th centuries formerly exhibited in the courtyard, is now protected and registered since 1937.

The architecture of the Château-Gaillard combines medieval and classical influences, with stone facades, sill windows and polygonal stairs. Recent restorations, such as the one in 2002-2003, have helped to restore its original structure and highlight its interior decorations, including woodwork inspired by the Rennes Parliament. The present museum presents archeological collections and classified furniture, bearing witness to the rich history of Vannes and Brittany.

The site is also marked by its political role: place of voting taxes by the Duke's vassals, then seat of Parliament until the French annexation. Its history reflects the transitions between dual, royal and local power, as well as the architectural evolution of Breton private hotels between the Middle Ages and the modern era.

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