Where the story begins in the 12th century
The Château du Plessis-Guériff

In the 12th century, the Château du Plessis-Guériff was nothing more than a feudal motte: a fortified dwelling built atop an artificial mound. The structure was reinforced with sharpened wooden stakes known as “plesses”, which would later inspire the name Plessis.

At that time, the estate belonged to one of the oldest families in the Diocese of Rennes, the Bonenfant lineage. One of its members, bearing the title Lord of Guériff, added his own name to the estate, giving rise to the designation Plessis-Guériff.

In 1317, Robin Bonenfant commissioned the construction of the first stone-built château, featuring four imposing towers that marked a significant architectural transformation.

The château’s early history was, however, marked by tragedy. In 1432, the fortress was brutally burned down, allegedly in the context of the Hundred Years’ War — and, as the story goes, by the English forces themselves.

Reconstruction, Prosperity and Turmoil The Château’s Golden Age

Rebuilt and destroyed more than once, the Château du Plessis-Guériff has stood resilient against the passage of time. A defining moment occurred on 29 January 1471, when Hélène de Bonenfant married Guillaume de Rosnyvinen, forging an alliance between two influential lineages. The name Rosnyvinen would remain tied to the estate until the 19th century.

The family coat of arms — featuring a boar’s head — proudly bears a striking motto: “I attack only when wounded”, accompanied by the battle cry “Defend yourself”. Their timeless maxim, “In all paths, integrity!”, still resonates through the Château’s spirit and legacy.

Over the centuries, the Rosnyvinen family produced eminent military leaders, distinguished magistrates, and gifted scholars, contributing significantly to both Brittany and France. During this flourishing era, the estate expanded well beyond its fortified walls, encompassing nearly 300 properties including manors, farms, tenant holdings, and mills — a testament to its territorial and economic influence.

A Grand Transformation The Château in the 18th Century

During the 18th century, the Château du Plessis-Guériff underwent a profound transformation. Christophe de Rosnyvinen, a councillor at the Parliament of Brittany, launched an ambitious renovation programme. In 1722, he laid the first stone of the elegant Régence-style château and commissioned the construction of the north–south wing. The medieval towers were demolished, the fortifications levelled, yet part of the original structure endured: “the old château”, now corresponding to the east–west wing.

Inside, vast drawing rooms, reception halls and lavishly decorated apartments showcased the refined aesthetic of the French aristocracy. The park is believed to have been created in the 17th century, under the guidance of the legendary André Le Nôtre, landscape architect to Louis XIV and a defining figure of classical French garden design.

However, the winds of change were gathering. With the onset of the French Revolution, the château’s fate was sealed. Despite the spirited resistance of the Marquis de Rosnyvinen — reputedly quite the character — the estate was ultimately seized and sold as national property upon his death, for the sum of 16,040 francs, at the venerable age of 84.

Return, Renewal and Transformation A New Era

It was not until 1802 that the Château du Plessis-Guériff was finally returned to the Rosnyvinen family, though in a state of severe decay. The estate would only be revived in 1818, when Hippolyte de Rosnyvinen, a General of the Empire, undertook an extensive restoration project to bring the château back to life.

In 1854, the last Marquis of Piré, facing financial ruin, sold the property to the Viscount de Nicolay, who later transferred it to the Carron de la Carrière family. They initiated further works on the estate, including the construction of the water tower and the chapel, marking a new architectural chapter.

Another major turning point came in 1923, when the estate was acquired by the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers. Under their stewardship, the château changed purpose, serving first as a training centre, then as a retirement home, infusing the site with a spiritual and social dimension that still resonates today.

After centuries of upheaval, rebirth and transition, the château’s story finally meets the present. A new chapter begins — one that will lead to the emergence of the Domaine du Château des Pères, where heritage, creativity and the future converge.

A New Chapter in Its Story The Château Today

Meticulously restored by skilled and passionate craftsmen, the Château des Pères now stands as a testament to craftsmanship, heritage transmission, and artistic creation. These core values, upheld by the Legendre family, have brought the estate back to life, transforming it into a vibrant symbol of revival and innovation.

A genuine historical jewel dedicated to celebrating manual talent, the château embodies the vision of Jean-Paul Legendre, former CEO of the Legendre Group. Having grown up just steps away from the estate before ultimately acquiring it, he infused the site with his lifelong passion for art and craftsmanship, shaping a destination unlike any other.

Today, the Château des Pères has become a timeless sanctuary adorned with striking monumental artworks that captivate the eye and spark the imagination. A towering gorilla watches over the grounds, a wolf dashes through the woods, and the entire landscape becomes a poetic playground where contemplation meets wonder. Here, art does not simply decorate: it transforms, intrigues, and elevates the experience.

The Legendre Family Shared values

Above all, the Château des Pères is a family-driven project, now overseen by Julien Legendre, who applies his entrepreneurial mindset and development expertise to a constantly evolving estate. Under his leadership, the domaine champions key values: kindness, high standards, dynamism, and the promotion of expertise. These guiding principles are at the heart of his mission to nurture and elevate this remarkable place, shaping a future worthy of its extraordinary past.

Where the story begins in the 12th century The Château du Plessis-Guériff