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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Locmaria Manor House, located in the town of Locmaria in the municipality of Carnoët (Côtes-d'Armor), is a historical monument registered in 2019 with its outbuildings. At the end of the 14th century it belonged to Jan Le Cerff and Catherine du Ménez, then passed by inheritance and marriage to the families of the Bois, Lémo, Cleuz du Gage and Kerouarz. Sold as a national property under the Revolution, it was bought in 2008 by Olivier Thomas, who undertook his complete restoration using exclusively traditional craft techniques.

Archaeological excavations revealed objects dating from Paleolithic (stone tools, pearls) as well as artifacts from the 15th and 16th centuries (potteries, glasses, bullets of firearms). The site also includes earlier remains: a Gallic vallum, a Gaulish stele, a Roman wash fountain, and a feudal motte nearby. The chapel Notre-Dame de Locmaria, now extinct, was linked to the mansion, whose lords were its founders.

Architecturally, the mansion forms a complete set typical of Central Britain, with seigneurial houses, barn, stable, henhouse, stable and two courtyards (high and low) closed by walls. The monumental gate, the ancient well and the schist, sandstone and granite apparatus testify to its historical importance. The restoration work, which is still under way, aims to preserve its authenticity, as evidenced by the local press articles and the distinctions received (medal of VMF in 2015).

The site is also marked by surrounding heritage elements, such as the Locmaria mill (today the Poulmic mill) and a calvary restored in front of the chapel of Penity. A detailed historical study was published in the Kaier ar Poher, a review of the Poher genealogy and history centre, consolidating its documentary value.

Olivier Thomas, the current owner, was praised for his commitment to safeguarding the heritage, as evidenced by the numerous press articles between 2013 and 2019. The manor house, occasionally open to the public, illustrates both Breton feudal history and contemporary challenges of heritage restoration.

The elements protected by the 2019 registration include the home, outbuildings, courtyard floors and old gardens, stressing the importance of preserving this whole whole. Archaeological discoveries and the surrounding remains (Gaulian stele, Roman fountain) make it a multidimensional site, ranging from prehistoric to modern times.

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