Malouinière de la Rivière

Malouinière de la Rivière stands in Saint-Malo, in the Routhan area of the former Paramé district, east of the walled old town. It is one of the region's malouinières - country residences built by wealthy Saint-Malo shipowners and merchants during the 17th and 18th centuries, when the port thrived on trade and privateering.

Where exactly is it located?

The estate sits in the Ille-et-Vilaine department, in Brittany, within what used to be the separate commune of Paramé before it merged into Saint-Malo. Routhan is a quiet hamlet on the eastern edge of town, well away from the ramparts and the seafront promenade.

How do you get there?

The easiest way is by car from central Saint-Malo; reaching Routhan/Paramé takes only a few minutes. The surrounding countryside, known as the Clos-Poulet, is also covered by cycling and walking routes mapped out by the Saint-Malo tourist office, linking several malouinières scattered across the hinterland.

What is the history behind the house?

The house was built around 1730. Until the early twentieth century it belonged to the descendants of François Potier de la Houssaye, a Saint-Malo merchant related through his mother to the famous privateer Robert Surcouf. Later, the painter Gustave Le Sénéchal de Kerdréoret lived and worked here, adding an artistic chapter to the property's history.

What will you see - the architecture?

The main building presents a three-bay facade divided by oval bull's-eye windows (oeil-de-boeuf) on two storeys, facing the courtyard. The roof is steeply pitched with tall side chimneys, and the window lintels are shaped to shed rainwater, a detail typical of the period. This plain granite volume, its symmetry and restrained ornament, reflects the style associated with the royal engineers' circle - the tradition of Garangeau, a disciple of Vauban, who shaped the look of many malouinières in the area.

Can you visit the inside?

No. Malouinière de la Rivière remains private property and is not open to the public. The whole estate was listed as a historic monument (monument historique) on 13 July 2000, which protects its fabric but does not mean visitor access.

When is the best time to come by?

Since the interior is off-limits, the best opportunities to see the building and place it in context are the September Heritage Days, when several regional malouinières open their gates, and the spring-to-summer months, ideal for cycling the malouinière trail through the Clos-Poulet.

Frequently asked questions

What is a malouinière? It is a type of country house built by wealthy Saint-Malo shipowners and merchants between the 17th and 18th centuries, usually within a dozen or so kilometres of the city, as a summer retreat away from the cramped walled town.

Can you visit Malouinière de la Rivière? No, it is private property. You can only see it from the outside, for instance while following the malouinière trail.

Who is connected to its history? The Potier de la Houssaye family, related to the privateer Robert Surcouf, and the painter Gustave Le Sénéchal de Kerdréoret, who lived and painted there.

How far is Routhan from central Saint-Malo? It lies on the eastern side of town, in the former commune of Paramé - just a few minutes' drive from the old city walls.