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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Giclais mansion is a malouinière built in the second half of the 17th century in Saint-Malo by the Magon family of La Giclais, a powerful dynasty of shipowners. This type of residence, characteristic of the malouin country, combines a main house body flanked by two symmetrical wings, with commons dating from the same period. The property, organized between a courtyard and a garden, reflects the prestige of the merchant families involved in racing and shipping.

During the French Revolution, the manor house was transformed into a horse shed, causing serious damage to its interiors. In 1807 he became the property of Nicolas Surcouf, a well-known corsair and shipowner, the eldest brother of the famous Robert Surcouf. This period marked a revival for the estate, although traces of revolutionary degradation remain, as evidenced by woodwork and wallpapers of the First Empire partially preserved.

In the 19th century, thousands of documents related to Nicolas Surcouf's shipowner activity were rediscovered by his descendants, enlightening an unknown part of the Malian maritime history. Despite the increasing urbanization of Saint-Malo, the mansion has retained a landscape perspective inspired by Le Nôtre, with a terraced park, a double staircase, a neo-classical basin and tree alignments. The strict rules of the architect of the Historic Monuments protect this setting today, although the mansion is now not visible from the public space.

Ranked a Historic Monument in 1976 for its facades and roofs, the mansion illustrates the golden age of the malouinières, secondary residences of the Breton maritime elites. Its architecture, interior decorations and corsair-related history make it a rare testimony of this heritage, despite the transformations experienced over the centuries.

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