Private mansion Lannion (22)

An open-plan flat, spanning more than 800 m², in the midst of a town, 15 minutes from the beaches in north Brittany.
This building is set in a recently revamped avenue, just a stone’s throw from the town’s historic centre. All urban assets are present, from green open spaces, pedestrian streets and numerous small shops to a weekly market and walks alongside the river meandering through the town. This little character town features once again this year on the list of French towns that are pleasant to live in. Communication routes to the sea, Paris and all other destinations are within easy reach: a TGV train station and access to a main road, one of Brittany’s famous “free motorways”. Large numbers of primary and secondary schools, sixth form colleges and tertiary schools are all to be found. And lastly, the proximity of the much-appreciated coast is a promise of some wonderful outings.
The avenue goes slightly uphill. It is adorned with sable-coloured paving slabs as well as refined flower beds, alternating seaside plants and rockeries, all enhanced with the black of the freshly laid road surface. This new urban embellishment enhances the building of high-standing. The ground floor of the facade features a wide shop window and a glazed entrance door, giving direct access to this open-plan flat. At the beginning of the avenue, small, adjacent, narrow streets, enhanced with historic buildings, offer a maze of possibilities for enthusiasts of medieval towns. It is in one of these “veins”, after having passed through a stone porchway, that visitors will discover an area out of sight of onlookers behind the building, where six car parking spaces and a garage are aligned. A second, more discreet entrance to the flat, looked down on by a small terrace, provides access on the garden level. At the end, wrought iron gates open on to a garden laid to lawn, dotted with trees and an unusual gazebo. A third entrance, off the embankments, opens directly into the ground floor.
The open-plan flatOriginally, the foundations of the building were constructed on the old ramparts of the town castle. Over the centuries, the architecture has evolved leaving behind it a few original features bearing witness to the past. Nowadays, the building facade is composed of dressed stone, notably exposed around the five openings on the first floor as well as around the large shop windows on the ground floor. Beige-coloured rendering enhances these historic stones and blends in with the colours selected to give prestige back to this avenue, previously known as “the green alleyway”. Behind, a more contemporary decor comprises vertical picture windows that stretch from the floor of the garden level to the ceiling of the ground floor, with a view over the walled garden and its gazebo.
Ground floor
The glazed entrance door opens, off the avenue, into a bright area. The ceilings are extremely high and spacious rooms follow one on from the other. The floor coverings differ from smooth, refined marble to warm and authentic wooden parquet flooring as well as rough, short-pile carpeting. The ambiances alternate with the urban and verdant views. An alcove, a granite monumental column, a hole in the wall fitted with an authentic polished wood door and wrought iron railings enhance the various areas.
Garden level
The garden level is accessed via the main entrance. This takes the form of a large, wide granite stairway which is the oldest part of the building. Exposed beams, lower ceilings and, above all, a large surface area paved with granite floor tiles. Although the light is softer, the surface areas are just as spacious. Another more contemporary stairway housed towards the rear provides access to the ground floor. And visitors have come full circle. A door leading to the outside gives access to a communal parking area shared …