Construction of the house vers 1558 (≈ 1558)
Edited by Guillaume André, Sieur de Kerlesté.
1871
Purchased by Charles Jacque
Purchased by Charles Jacque 1871 (≈ 1871)
Restoration and reception of artists by the painter.
1908
Creation of Saint-Yves Square
Creation of Saint-Yves Square 1908 (≈ 1908)
Isolate the house in the urban landscape.
18 juillet 1966
Registration for historical monuments
Registration for historical monuments 18 juillet 1966 (≈ 1966)
Protection of facades and roofs by stop.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Guillaume André - Sir of Kerlesté, likely sponsor
A local influential family.
Charles Jacque - Painter and restorer (19th century)
Buyer in 1871, host of artists.
Origin and history
The house Guillaume André is a 16th century house located in the heart of the Croisic, in the Loire-Atlantique. Built around 1558, it represents a remarkable example of the civil architecture of the Breton Renaissance, mixing stone and wood. Its West Gable, particularly neat, and its corbellation reflect the know-how of the artisans of the time. Originally, this house was probably linked to Guillaume André, Sieur de Kerlesté, from an influential family with several mayors of the Croisic. However, the assumptions suggesting that he served as a home for the parish treasurer or the city captain remain unconfirmed, perhaps as a result of confusion with the functions of the André family.
Over the centuries, the house has known several owners. In 1871, it was acquired by Charles Jacque, a Parisian painter who settled in the Croisic and began his restoration. The latter welcomes artists, helping to make this place a cultural home. The north facade, with wooden panels, is framed by two sprockets, while the ground floor, now equipped with an arcade shop, has recently been renovated from the original stones. Wooden frame, complex, presents distinct patterns on the floors: from fern strands to the first and crosses of St Andrew's in the second. Some parts still retain a numbering in Roman numerals, vestige of the assembly techniques of the period.
The southern facade lost its wood section during the 19th century restorations, probably due to its oldness. The house, isolated since the creation of Place Saint-Yves in 1908, was listed as historical monuments in 1966 for its facades and roofs. Its history reflects both the architectural evolution of the region and the social transformations, from its initial role in the medieval city to its renaissance as an artistic place in the 19th century.
