Manoir de la Pichardais

Manoir de la Pichardais is a 17th-century Breton manor house in Créhen, in the Côtes-d'Armor department, on the stretch of coastline known as the Côte d'Émeraude, between Saint-Malo and Cap Fréhel.

The story behind the manor

The Bernard de Courville family acquired the estate in 1633, when Gaspard Bernard de Courville married Jacquemine Le Dos, heiress to the La Pichardais domain. The property has stayed in the same family ever since — nearly four centuries of unbroken ownership. One descendant, Guy-André Bernard de Courville, served as major of the coastal watch captaincy of Plancoët and fought at the Battle of Saint-Cast in 1758. The manor also hosted the Marquis de la Rouërie, who spent the night of 9–10 January 1793 there, during the turbulent years of counter-revolutionary unrest in Brittany.

What you'll see

The manor is built of granite and schist rubble stone. Its western facade holds the main entrance, combining a pedestrian gate with a wider carriage gateway. To the right stands a dovecote built on a horseshoe-shaped plan, holding close to 300 nesting holes — a feature typically found on the estates of the Breton lesser nobility and a marker of the family's former standing. The grounds around the manor form a working orchard, where apples have been grown for generations to supply the local cider trade. The property has kept its character as a rural family residence, without later, unrelated alterations.

How to get there

Créhen sits in Côtes-d'Armor, a short distance from the Côte d'Émeraude shoreline, between Saint-Malo and Cap Fréhel. A car is the most practical way to reach it: the nearest larger towns are Dinan and Saint-Malo, with local roads leading on toward Créhen and Plancoët. The area is popular with travelers following the coast toward Cap Fréhel and Fort la Latte, so the manor fits easily into a coastal itinerary.

When to visit

The manor now operates as a chambre d'hôtes (bed and breakfast) run by Christian and Bénédicte de Courville, so visits are mainly available to overnight guests. Spring and summer are the most rewarding seasons, when the orchard is in blossom or bearing fruit and the weather suits exploring the nearby coastline. Autumn brings the apple harvest tied to the local cider-making tradition, which many guests find an added draw of staying here.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit Manoir de la Pichardais? It is primarily a private residence and a working guesthouse (chambre d'hôtes) — access is mainly reserved for overnight guests.

How old is the manor? The building dates from the 17th century, and the Bernard de Courville family has held it continuously since 1633.

What makes the manor's architecture distinctive? Its granite-and-schist facade and a horseshoe-plan dovecote with around 300 nesting holes standing beside the western entrance.

Are there other attractions nearby? Yes — Créhen is close to Cap Fréhel, Fort la Latte, and the towns of Dinan and Saint-Malo, making it easy to combine a stay at the manor with exploring the Côte d'Émeraude coastline.