The Château de Bienassis is located in the town of Erquy, in the Côtes-d'Armor, a few kilometers southwest of the village and the coast.
It first appeared in the form of a manor surrounded by a moat in the 12th century, then owned by lords of the region (notably La Motte d'Erquy).
In 1434, the construction of a "new manor" was mentioned, but the estate was damaged during the wars of the League (when the legitimacy of King Henry IV was contested). The castle was therefore partly rebuilt in the first half of the 17th century.
Before the Revolution, the castle was at the center of a powerful and prosperous estate which included 39 smallholdings, 7 mills, and extended over more than 1,000 hectares.
Confiscated after 1789, a time transformed into a prison, the estate was bought by a general in 1796 then, in 1880, it was acquired by Admiral Jules de Kerjégu, a great navigator who took part in expeditions to Mexico, in Crimea, China and Cochinchina.
His descendants still own the estate, access to which is via a bridge that succeeded the drawbridge that once spanned the moat. Built in pink sandstone, the house and its outbuildings have medieval parts (staircase tower in one corner and hors-d'oeuvre tower in the other corner) and Renaissance: there is a monumental two-flight staircase and a large living room on the ground floor. ground floor. The fireplaces and stairs are from the 15th and 17th centuries. A crenellated wall bears witness to the 15th century enclosure. Corner towers and wall turrets were added in the 17th century.
A part of the interiors where you can see Breton and Asian decorations and objects (brought back from the admiral ancestor) as well as the gardens are accessible to the public.
The site also regularly hosts events, weddings, receptions.
Open to visitors in July and August except Saturdays, in September and October Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays by reservation. Closed from November to March except for groups by reservation. Price: 4 and 8 euros. Information on +33 2 96 72 22 03.
