Ploërmel, Brittany 56800

A 16th-century private mansion, listed as a Historical Monument, to be renovated, in a Breton city near the Brocéliande Forest. As one of the town's most emblematic buildings, this edifice is recognised as a regional Historical Monument in its entirety, including its roof, exteriors and fireplaces, while, occupied until the 14th century by the Dukes of Brittany and their administration, the site was rebuilt around 1586 in its current form before becoming, in the 17th century, the Ecu de France hotel. With three storeys, the building features approximately 220 m² of floor area, whereas its main façade was designed with a granite ashlar stone foundation and timber framing on its upper floors. With schist rubble stone on its gable ends, the building's arched front door is topped with a bull's-eye window and flanked by a pilaster with a fleur-de-lis capital, while two large cross-windows are located to one side. As for its western exteriors, they feature vestiges of former fortifications, with a massive buttress as well as circular arrowslits, while inside, the fireplaces are topped with moulded and monogrammed tuffeau stone hoods and, facing the garden, an outdoor spiral staircase provides access to a gallery on each level.