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A 17th century manor house and penty close to the beaches and port
in Lanildut, in the Iroise region

Our opinion

The shipowners of yesteryear enjoyed building their heritage (and, of course, their reputation) in stone. As such, Brittany abounds with manors, mansions and "malouinières" which testify to the success of their sponsors - men of the sea and trade. La Bauge is one of them. Sober in its architecture and appearance, and modest in size, it nevertheless exudes real elegance and an excellent capacity for hosting. The shades of granite and slate that mark Brittany's buildings are now matched by a variety of bright colours that punctuate the rooms and highlight original decorative features. The thick walls, the outer wall and the enclosed garden will shelter guests from the sea spray, creating a happy refuge for those returning from regattas or hikes in this Iroise countryside which gets hearts racing and spirits soaring.

Property owners’ take the floor

Why did you settle in this region, in this place and not elsewhere ?

The property was bought by my grandfather in 1952; his family was already from Finistère and Côtes d'Armor. I have been the proud owner since 2018. After a complete restoration with respect for its history and original architecture, I have been offering the house as a holiday resort since 2021.

What specific architectural features does your building have ?

The property is surrounded by high granite walls from the Lanildut quarries. It consists of a main building and a penty, named "La Bauge" and "Le Ker-Grommelle" respectively, located at the bottom of the garden. La Bauge has an artistic ironwork door with a Maltese cross. The four bedrooms still feature their original woodwork which has now been repainted in period colours. Each of the interior doors is unique with blown glass windows, coloured windows, wood carvings or ironwork. An imposing granite staircase leads to the bedrooms on the first floor, followed by the attic. The penty's kitchen has kept its remarkable stone paving. The houses are surmounted by half-moon chimneys known as "English chimneys".

What is its history ?

This "malouinière" style manor is the former house of a privateer (shipowner, captain or crew member of an armed civilian ship) dating from the second half of the 17th century. Jean Halna du Fretay, born ten kilometres away in Plouguin, bought the property in 1952 and named it "La Bauge". By the time it was passed on to the children and then to the grandchildren of my grandfather (of whom I was one of the heirs) the house had suffered very serious damage from the passing of time and the climate. In 2018, I acquired it with a sense great joy but also a sense of uncertainty. With the help of a friend who put all his energy and knowledge into this adventure, we brought the house back to life after three years of work.

What can you offer people staying with you ?

A historic and quiet place. A privileged location in Lanildut, on the north shore of the Aber Ildut (a Breton-style "fjord") on the west coast of Léon, on the shores of the Iroise Sea, and opposite the island of Ouessant. It is a paradise for hikers following the GR 34, just three hundred metres on foot from the port. The large walled garden is a beautiful setting of flowers and greenery.

Places you would personally recommend

Le Chenal, a restaurant in Melon, serves up entirely homemade cuisine with fresh, seasonal products and explores horizons as diverse as books, photography and music with the aim of bringing everyone together around the table in conviviality. L'Auberge de Bel Air in Brélès features a large landscaped garden at the edge of the Aber along the GR 34. The menus change every day in accordance with products that are in season. Mickael Charlemein, a fisherman in Porspoder, serves a lovely variety of fish.