Hôtel de Blossac

The Hôtel de Blossac is a magnificent 18th-century townhouse in the historic center of Rennes. It was built in 1728 on a plot cleared by the great fire of 1720, with the older neighboring building, the Hôtel de Brie, integrated into the new structure. The design is attributed to the royal architect Jacques Gabriel, which makes the building an architectural one-of-a-kind in Brittany. The building consists of two joined wings: the more restrained courtyard wing to the south and the stately garden wing to the north, which impresses with its outdoor staircase and a richly articulated limestone facade. Particularly striking are the mascarons above the windows, which depict figures from Greco-Roman mythology, as well as the imposing staircase, whose placement on the street side is unusual for the region.

Historically, the house first served as the private residence of the La Bourdonnaye family, Counts of Blossac. From 1732, the city of Rennes rented the building to use it as the official residence of the commander-in-chief of the province of Brittany. This role shaped the furnishings, which recalled the splendor of the French court and were home to high-ranking military officers for decades. After the French Revolution, the house lost its official status and was divided into apartments, in one of which the writer Paul Féval, among others, was born. In the 20th century, the building was classified as a historic monument, and in 1982 it was finally acquired in full by the French state.

Today the restored building houses the Regional Directorate for Cultural Affairs of Brittany as well as the Departmental Service for Architecture and Heritage. You can visit the grounds, courtyards, and garden, which offer a view of the nearby cathedral and the Basilica of Saint-Sauveur. Especially impressive is the grand staircase, which has regained its original splendor after extensive restoration work. During the European Heritage Days, access to these areas is generally free, and the building also serves as a cultural setting for events such as the Fête de la Musique, when vocal ensembles perform in the stairwell.