château de la Mallerie

Château de la Mallerie stands in Beaussais-sur-Mer, a coastal commune in the Côtes-d'Armor department of Brittany, on land that once belonged to the former parish of Ploubalay.

Where exactly is the château located?

The estate sits within the boundaries of former Ploubalay, absorbed into Beaussais-sur-Mer in 2017. Historically the land formed part of the royal domain of Dinan, underlining its former administrative importance in this part of Brittany. The surroundings are typical of the hinterland behind the Bay of Saint-Malo: quiet lanes, hedgerows, and isolated estates tucked among the fields.

What is the building's history?

A manor already occupied the site in the 17th century; a chapel, a dovecote, and an outbuilding dated to 1600 survive from that earlier phase. The dwelling visitors see today was rebuilt in the first half of the 18th century on those older foundations. For generations it served as the seat of the Breil family. In 1787 the estate passed to Toussaint Briot, who afterward took the name Toussaint de La Mallerie. He took part in a royalist conspiracy organized under the Marquis de La Rouërie during the Revolutionary period, linking the château to one of Brittany's notable episodes of resistance to the revolutionary government.

What makes the architecture distinctive?

The main dwelling follows the malouinière model, the merchant-residence type associated with the Saint-Malo area, built on a double, deep rectangular plan. Granite and schist form the structure, finished with a rendered surface, and the house is positioned right at the entrance to its courtyard, giving it a commanding presence over the rest of the estate. The roofline and the treatment of the chimney stacks both reflect the influence of Malouine architecture, the building style typical of the Saint-Malo region and echoed across the bay in similar residences.

Can the château be visited today?

The property is listed in Brittany's General Inventory of Cultural Heritage under reference IA22017368, but it remains privately owned and has no regular public visiting circuit. Visitors can appreciate its exterior from the surrounding lanes of former Ploubalay, taking in the characteristic ensemble of manor house, chapel, and dovecote from a distance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Château de la Mallerie located? In Beaussais-sur-Mer, in the Côtes-d'Armor department, on the site of the former commune of Ploubalay, merged into Beaussais-sur-Mer in 2017.

How old is the current building? The present dwelling dates from the first half of the 18th century, replacing a 17th-century manor whose chapel, dovecote, and a 1600 outbuilding still stand.

Who owned the estate? The Breil family held it for generations; in 1787 it passed to Toussaint Briot, later known as Toussaint de La Mallerie, who joined the Marquis de La Rouërie's royalist conspiracy.

Is the château protected as heritage? Yes, it is registered in Brittany's General Inventory of Cultural Heritage under reference IA22017368.