The Château de l'Hermine, a historical monument located in the centre of Vannes, was built in the 14th century at the request of Duke Jean IV of Brittany. This fortified castle, enclosed within the city walls, has a majestic garden: the ramparts garden. From the end of the 15th century, the Château de l'Hermine became the main residence of the Dukes of Brittany. Partly destroyed under the reign of Louis XIII, the castle was then ceded by Louis XIV to the city of Vannes. In 1784, Julien Lagorce bought the castle and destroyed its two ruined towers to build a hotel-restaurant, hence the other name given to the monument: the Lagorce Hotel, which closed its doors in 1803. From the 19th century onwards, the old castle was used for various functions: artillery school, headquarters of the General Treasury of Morbihan, law school... Today, the Château de l'Hermine hosts various temporary exhibitions and attracts the attention of tourists: it's well worth a visit!
The Connétable Tower, which is located to the north of the old castle, takes its name from the medieval period. The tower was built at the beginning of the 15th century and served primarily as the residence of the head of the Duke of Brittany's armies, who was known as the "connétable". The name of the tower is said to pay tribute to the Constable and Duke Arthur III of Brittany, also known as the "Constable of Richemont".
In the 18th century and during the revolution, the tower was converted into a prison. Then, a century later, it was bought and became a private property before being bought and restored by the city of Vannes in 1975.
The Connétable Tower, which offers an unobstructed view of the city and its surroundings, remains one of the most beautiful remains of Vannes. It now houses cultural exhibitions and is the subject of numerous guided tours.
Located just a few steps from the Best Western Plus hotel in Vannes, these monuments are a must-see! Don't hesitate to take advantage of the guided tours to learn more about their history and historic architecture.
During your walk, you can also admire the ramparts from all angles, the Château-Gaillard, the former parliament building of Brittany, built at the beginning of the 15th century, or the Saint-Pierre cathedral, which is also in the vicinity.
What better way to end the day than to return to the Best Western Plus Hotel for a rest and a meal after a long walk through the city?