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Origin and history

The Malouinière de la Metreie-aux-Houëts, located in Saint-Coulomb (Ille-et-Vilaine), is a noble residence built in the first quarter of the 18th century, probably around 1725, when its chapel was erected. This type of residence, characteristic of the Malouin shipowners and traders, reflects the opulence of families enriched by maritime trade with India, Cadiz and other European ports. The estate, always surrounded by its log jumps, monumental gate and common arcades, preserves a remarkable exterior and interior architecture, including a wooden staircase, strict panelling and wide parquet floors.

The malouinière belonged to the Quentin family, a powerful dynasty of shipowners and active traders in Saint-Malo, Tours, Cadiz and Indian counters like Pondicherry and Madras. Vincent Quentin de La Metrenie, a prominent member of the family, became an adviser to the Pondicherry Superior Council in 1741 and married a Dupleix relative, thus strengthening the links between the colonial and Malouin elites. Together with other influential families (Banchereau, Moisant, Le Gobien), the Quentin also owned the Château de la Ville-aux-Oiseaux, illustrating their territorial anchor and economic power.

The house, organized around a central axis marked by a false avenue, opens at the back onto French gardens structured on terraces, basin, green carpet and mirror d'eau framed by madness. The ensemble, including the chapel, stables and access hall, was inscribed in the historical monuments in 1993 for its authenticity and representativeness of the 18th century malouinières. The exceptional preservation of the interior elements (alcoves, lambris, parquet floors) and exterior elements (colombier, grid, hopping) makes it a rare testimony of the art of living of the Malouin elites under the Old Regime.

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