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Origin and history

The Hotel de Blossac is an 18th-century mansion located in the historic centre of Rennes, Brittany. Built in 1728 following the 1720 fire that ravaged the city, it is attributed to a supposed drawing by Jacques Gabriel, architect of King Louis XV. This monument is distinguished by its classical architecture, its imposing area, and its organization in two main wings, including a remarkable staircase of honor. Owned by the family of La Bourdonnaye, Counts of Blossac, it was rented for nearly two centuries by the city of Rennes as residence of the commander-in-chief of the province of Brittany, reflecting the splendor of the court of France.

The hotel partially includes the former Brie hotel, dating from 1624, which served as a residence for the King's intendant in Brittany until 1725. The building of the Blossac hotel was supervised by Jean-François Huguet, on a plot delimited by the streets of the Chapter, Saint-Sauveur, and Montfort. Its interior design, inspired by the large Versaililla residences, included reception rooms, specialized kitchens, and apartments distributed on a line. The building was also the scene of significant events during the French Revolution, before being divided into apartments in the 19th century.

The Blossac Hotel was listed as a historic monument in 1947 and has been the subject of an external and internal restoration over several decades, including from 1982, when it became State property. Today, it houses the Regional Directorate of Cultural Affairs (DRAC) of Brittany and the Territorial Service of Architecture and Heritage of Ille-et-Vilaine. Its honorary staircase, mascaron facades and French-style garden make it one of the most beautiful examples of 18th-century civil architecture in Brittany.

The honour staircase, dated 1730, is a masterpiece of the monument. Located at the south end of the building, it is distinguished by its triple functionality: a carriageway to the rear courtyard, access to the ground floor, and monumental staircase leading to the first floor. Its sober decor, composed of pink marble columns, a wrought iron ramp attributed to Gabriel, and a statue of Thémis, makes it a unique architectural element in Brittany. The skylights, the mascarons representing mythological figures, and the asymmetrical balcony of the north facade testify to a bold design, perhaps inspired by Gabriel, although no formal evidence attests.

In the 19th century, the hotel lost part of its original fascist. He was transformed into a rental building and was born the writer Paul Féval in 1816, whose childhood in these places inspired some of his works. The interior arrangements evolved, with the creation of a central staircase in 1830 and the modernization of the garage stables in the 20th century. Despite these changes, the hotel retained its prestige, as evidenced by the restorations carried out since the 1980s, which allowed it to return to its original chandelier, especially in the honorary staircase and facades.

Today, the Blossac hotel is a major cultural and administrative place. Its exteriors (courtyards and garden) and its honorary staircase are accessible to the public during the European Heritage Days. The building also houses offices, heritage documentation, and spaces dedicated to heritage conservation. Its history, marked by figures such as the Marshal of Brancas or the Duke of Aiguillon, makes it a symbol of the architectural and political heritage of Brittany under the Ancien Régime.

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