Malouinière de la Verderie

Malouinière de la Verderie is a historic manor house in the Saint-Servan district of Saint-Malo, built in the first half of the 17th century and dated to around 1637. It ranks among the oldest malouinières — the grand country houses built by wealthy shipowners and corsairs of Saint-Malo who made their fortunes in long-distance trade and privateering.

What is the history behind the house?

The property is linked to Noël Danycan (1651–1731), sieur de l'Épine, one of the wealthiest and most influential corsairs of Saint-Malo and a key figure in the French East India Company. Local tradition holds that he watched for the return of his ships from the tower of his own residence. The house was remodelled in the 18th century, when ground-floor panelling and a wing topped with a Mansard-style roof were added, yet part of the original 17th-century wooden partitions still survives inside.

What makes the architecture distinctive?

The building follows a compact L-shaped plan, set off by an octagonal stair tower projecting from the main façade. This layout marks a transition from late-medieval architecture of the 15th and 16th centuries toward early classical forms — typical of the earliest malouinières, built before the style fully matured. The symmetrical garden-facing façade and the stepped chimney stacks tie the house to the later, fully developed malouinière tradition.

Can visitors go inside?

Malouinière de la Verderie remains private property, as do most malouinières around Saint-Malo. The house and its enclosed garden were listed on France's Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments in 2000, which protects the structure from alteration but does not open it to the public. Visitors can view the exterior while walking through Saint-Servan, a district dotted with more than a dozen similar shipowners' residences set among gardens and tree-lined lanes.

How do you get to Saint-Servan?

Saint-Servan sits in the southern part of the Saint-Malo urban area, along the Rance estuary, and is easily reached from the historic Intra-Muros on foot along the waterfront or by local bus. The district rewards a visit not only for its malouinières but also for its views over the Rance estuary and the nearby fortifications.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and early autumn are the most pleasant seasons for exploring Saint-Servan and its manor houses, with mild weather for walking and gardens at their most lush. Summer brings heavier tourist crowds to central Saint-Malo, making Saint-Servan a quieter alternative during peak season.

Frequently asked questions

Is Malouinière de la Verderie open to the public? No, it is a private residence. It can only be viewed from the outside while walking through Saint-Servan.

Who built or owned the house? It is associated with Noël Danycan, sieur de l'Épine, one of the wealthiest corsairs and shipowners of Saint-Malo in the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

How does a malouinière differ from an ordinary manor? Malouinières are a distinct type of country house built by wealthy Saint-Malo shipowners, combining defensive features with formal gardens and characteristic lookout towers.

Is the building legally protected? Yes, the house and its enclosed garden have been listed on the Supplementary Inventory of Historic Monuments since 2000.