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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Château de Lupin is a malouinière built in 1692 in the commune of Saint-Coulomb, Ille-et-Vilaine. This monument is a typical example of the country houses built by the Malouin shipowners and traders at the end of the seventeenth century. Its architecture, marked by a central home extended by low wings, reflects the sober and functional style of the secondary residences of the maritime elite of Saint Malo.

The castle replaced a former 15th century fortress, the seat of a bailliage of Plessis-Bertrand County. It is surrounded by a French garden and retains notable interior elements, such as a wooden staircase with balusters and exposed beams. The property, which belonged to several families including Robiou (owners in 1709), Le Fer de La Gervinais and the Meric, has been classified as a Historic Monument since 1944 for its facades, roofs and entrance courtyard.

Access to the castle is through a rabine, an alley lined with trees typical of the malouinières, as is also found at the castles of La Motte-aux-Chauffs or the Ville-ès-Offrans. The entrance gate, decorated with an 18th century wrought iron gate, and the large roofs accentuated by massive chimneys, underline the imposing character of this residence. The restorations of the early twentieth century preserved its original appearance, making the Lupin an archetype of the malouinières still visible in Brittany.

The castle is part of a network of malouinières scattered around Saint-Malo, evidence of the economic influence of the city. These residences served as both resorts and power symbols for families enriched by maritime commerce. Their disposition, often isolated but close to the lines of communication, also reflected a desire for territorial control and social prestige.

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