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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The house at 12 Colvestre Street in Tréguier is a wood-paned building from the 15th and 16th centuries, typical of Breton medieval urban architecture. Its corbelled façade, supported by four oak posts on the ground floor, illustrates the constructive techniques of the era. The stone fireproof walls, unaligned with corbellation, and the whistle-shape between the beams reveal sophisticated craftsmanship. The cross of St.Andre's in light and the sandstones united on the floors underline its authenticity, despite the loss of the original torchi.

The interior, organized around a side screw staircase, reflects a marked social hierarchy. On the ground floor, the manorial bass room (street side) and the office (court side) communicate through two doors, while the floors house noble rooms with adorned fireplaces, including an armorie with Renaissance motifs (shells, whiting, molettes). These elements, dating from the early 17th century for some, attest to the notatability of the occupants, probably a noble or affluent family. The distribution of the latrines and chimneys (drain wall is) optimizes the living space, characteristic of the urban houses of this period.

The house is inspired by the Guingamp models, with a front-solar façade and three close windows illuminating the floors. Built between 1470–80 or around 1520, it was partially restored in the 20th century (1966), notably to replace degraded wood pieces. Its inscription in the Historic Monuments in 1964 (façades and roofs) underscores its heritage value, although its exact location remains approximate (precision: 5/10). In 1835, it belonged to Joseph Offeret, then to the widow Le Goaster, according to the cadastral archives.

The decor of the chimneys, comparable to those of the shipowner house (7 Place du Général de Gaulle) or 18 rue Saint-André, confirms the influence of Renaissance styles in the region. The coat of arms of alliance, although partially interpretable (nine shells, hazelnuts, chopsticks), suggest a marriage or social ascent at the end of the 16th century. This house, despite the subsequent modifications, remains a rare example of a manor house preserved in Trégor, illustrating the transition between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance in Breton habitat.

The loss of the original torchi and modern restorations did not alter its original structure, preserved by grafting techniques on damaged wood. Its plan, designed to maximize living space, and its defensive elements (firewalls) reveal an adaptation to urban constraints and fire risks. Today, the house is a precious testimony of medieval civil architecture in Brittany, complementary to religious or military buildings more often studied.

The 1835 cadastre section states mention two separate owners for adjacent plots (house, buildings, yard and garden), indicating a possible division or mixed use of the site. Parcel No. 239, listed in the Historic Monuments, corresponds to the current 12 Colvestre Street, while Parcel No. 240, associated with the widow Le Goaster, includes a garden (park No. 243). These cadastral details illuminate the spatial and social organization of the neighborhood in modern times.

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