Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The house of the Cariatides, located at 4 rue du Guéodet in Quimper, is one of 72 houses with wooden strips preserved in the old Quimper. Built in the late 16th century, this old tavern now houses a bar and restaurant. Its name comes from the high reliefs carved in medallions depicting faces of men and women in Renaissance costumes, although these sculptures are not cariatids in the traditional architectural sense. These ornaments, inspired by antiquity, contrast with the simple medieval style of the building, typical of wood-paned houses of the time.

The façade, classified as a historic monument since 19 October 1928, was restored in the 1920s, revealing its wooden structure once hidden under a coating. At that time, work on the development of the Quimperian heritage allowed the house to be restored to its original appearance, with its corbellations and its visible structures. The house is associated with the husbands Chevillard, famous taverniers in Quimper during the period of the League (late 16th century), which strengthens its local historical anchor.

Architecturally, the house of the Cariatides is distinguished by its two habitable floors and sub-slopes, as well as its crosses of Saint Andrew and its gable on street. The medallion sculptures, although late for the 16th century, illustrate the influence of the Renaissance on the Breton bourgeoisie. These decorative elements, although modest compared to the richest buildings of the first half of the century, mark a transition between medieval style and Renaissance architectural innovations.

The building thus embodies a medieval and reborn heritage, reflecting the cultural exchanges of the period. Its early classification as a historic monument underscores its importance in the architectural heritage of Brittany, while at the same time demonstrating the desire to preserve the wood-paned houses, characteristic of ancient centres such as Quimper.

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