Château de l'Hermine, historical heritage a must for the city of Vannesto discover during your stay in Southern Brittany.
The residence of the Dukes of Brittany
Old fortified castle and integrated into the ramparts of the Morbihan prefecturethe Dukes of Brittany lived in this castle until the middle of the 15th century. François I of France stayed here, particularly in 1532, when the States voted for the union of the duchy.
The fortifications subsequently lost much of their usefulness, Louis XIV In 1670, he decided to sell them off segment by segment to finance his wars. He donated the château de l'Herminethen in ruins, to the city of Vannes in 1697, who used it to improve the port and maintain other buildings in the town.
Protecting Vannes' heritage
In 1876, the State acquired the building and the Artillery School of the XIth Army Corps moved in. The building underwent a number of modifications, including the addition of attic space and interior refurbishments. The fortified enclosure gradually disintegrated as urban construction progressed. It wasn't until 1911 that an association was set up to protect the heritage of Vannes, and that the ramparts of Vannes are put under protection, then classified Historical Monuments.
During the 20th century, the building, still known as Château de l'Hermine, was used for a variety of administrative purposes. In 1976, it became the property of the city of Vannes.
Vannes castle and ramparts today
Waiting to be restored and given a new lease of life, the temporary exhibitions occupy the ground floor. The castle is gradually being emptied so that the town can undertake renovation and restoration work.
The Château de l'Hermine is one of the city's landmarks and one of the most important places not to be missed during your stay in Vannes, day and night. The castle is lit up at night, and during the festive season it and its ramparts are beautifully illuminated.
The rampart gardens
As you stroll along the ramparts and around the castle, you will be able to admire the gardens of the ramparts of Vannes. A real pleasure for the eyes and for the garden loversespecially during flowering periods, especially in spring.
