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Origin and history

The Bro-Erec'h towers, also known as the prison gate, are located in the city centre of Hennebont, Brittany. Together with Notre-Dame-de-Paradis Basilica, they form the historic heart of the city. Classified as a historical monument since 10 June 1916, these towers date from the 15th century, although their origin dates back to the second half of the 13th century during the reign of Duke John I the Roux. They were integrated into the ramparts and played a major defensive role during the sieges of the Hundred Years War, notably in 1342 during the War of Succession of Brittany.

From the end of the 16th century, the Bro-Erec'h towers lost their military function. The ditches were closed, and the towers were converted to prison in 1644, including 46 Spanish prisoners that year. The famous brigand Marion du Faouët was imprisoned there in 1746, as was his accomplice Hanvigen, arrested in 1743. Marion organized the escape of his lover by bribed jailer Pierre Le Livec. By 1791, the prison could contain up to 199 prisoners, distributed in cells and cells.

In the 19th century, the towers served as a transit centre for bagards sent from Brest to dig the Blavet Canal. Their prison use gradually declined, and in 1910 they were transformed into a museum dedicated to Breton culture, from Neolithic to World War II. The museum, destroyed during the 1944 bombings, was restored and enriched with recent collections, including Breton costumes, Quimper's faiences and medieval objects. The towers, largely reworked above the mâchicoulis, retain their original medieval structure.

Today, the Bro-Erec'h towers belong to the town of Hennebont and house a museum space retracing local and regional history. Their architecture, marked by ramparts and defensive elements, bears witness to their strategic and prison history. The site, located 2 Rue de la Prison, remains a symbol of Breton heritage and a place of memory accessible to the public.

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