Castle

The Château du Colombier is a beautiful 18th-century malouinière located in Paramé, now part of Saint-Malo
(Ille-et-Vilaine).

Origins and Construction

The estate was created in the early 18th century, between 1711 and 1717, by Pierre Gris, a shipowner from Saint-Malo. He transformed farmland and a former village called La Plate-Roche into a vast property of about 15 hectares, around an elegant residence surrounded by gardens and a pond.

Description and Life in the 18th Century

The castle was designed as a pleasure residence, with beautiful lounges, a central staircase of carved wood, wood paneling, and even a former octagonal dovecote (which gave the place its name). The gardens were adorned with many statues imported from Italy, and a pool once served as a bathtub in the park.

A chapel was also built in 1754 by the owners at that time, the Eon de Carman family, to provide religious services on-site.

Revolution and Transformations

During the French Revolution, the castle was confiscated as a national asset. It served as a military hospital for a time, which damaged some interiors and the chapel was looted. Fortunately, the property was not entirely sold, and the heiresses were able to recover the estate after the turmoil.

19th Century and Modifications

In the 19th century, the castle underwent significant architectural alterations: the two original pavilions were replaced by larger wings, and turrets and Louis XIII-style facades gave a new appearance to the building.

The estate then changed owners several times, belonging in turn to local families such as the du Pouget, de Cargouët, or Lanascol, who each brought transformations and care.

From the castle to the hotel

From the end of the 20th century, after several sales, the property was purchased to be transformed into a charming hotel-restaurant from 2007. Today, it is a four-star venue with a 6-hectare park, where visitors can still admire the gardens, the pond, the chapel, and the historical architecture.