Page 113 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Brittany

C Ô TES D ’ ARMOR  111

Near the church, a
Mathurin Méheut walking path has
Painter, interior decorator, been laid out on
illustrator, designer of jewellery the site of a castle
and wallpaper, Mathurin that was destroyed
Méheut (1888–1958) was a in 1626.
multi-talented artist. One The Haras
of the earliest exponents of National, in Place
Art Nouveau, Méheut was du Champ-de-
commissioned to design the Foire, in the west
interior decoration of 27 liners. of Lamballe, is the
This included producing four second-largest
oil paintings for the Normandie. national stud in
After World War II, he was France. Set up
appointed painter to the in 1825, it was
French Navy and produced
many fishing scenes. In 1923, well regarded in
a retrospective exhibition the early 20th
of his work was held in century, and is still
San Francisco. important today.
It has capacity for
400 animals, and The Maison du Bourreau, in Lamballe, which houses the
the horses bred Musée Mathurin-Méheut
here include
Breton post-horses, showing children’s films, and
thoroughbreds and children’s workshops with a
Connemaras, thus helping historical theme.
to preserve these breeds.
+ Château de La Hunaudaye
G Haras National On the D28. Tel (02) 96 34 82 10.
Place du Champ-de-Foire. 8 Apr–Jun: daily pm; Jul–mid-Sep:
Tel (02) 96 50 06 98. 8 Jul–mid-Sep: daily. & ∑ la-hunaudaye.com
several daily; other times: 2:30pm E Musée d’Art Populaire
daily (more in French school hols). &
Mathurin Méheut, a pioneering du Pays de Lamballe
Hosté du Pilori. Tel (02) 96 34
exponent of Art Nouveau Environs 77 63. Open Jun–Sep: Tue–Sat.
Northeast of Lamballe, & ∑ alp22400.net
not far from Pléven, are the
and Gothic styles. The ruins of the restored Château P Musée Mathurin-Méheut
north door, dating from the de La Hunaudaye. Of Maison du Bourreau. Tel (02) 96
12th century, has capitals parti cular interest are the 31 19 99. Open Apr–Jun & Sep–Oct:
carved with foliage. The thick 15th-century keep, pierced Tue–Sat; Jul–Aug: Tue–Sat, Sun pm;
columns and floral motifs by arrowslits; the seigneurial Nov–Dec: Tue–Sat pm. Closed Jan–
in the nave show Norman quarters, which have Mar. &
influence, while the a fine Renaissance R Collégiale Notre-Dame-
Flamboyant Gothic rood staircase; and two de-Grande-Puissance
screen (1415) is perfectly 13th-century towers. Rue Notre-Dame. Open call tourist
counterbalanced by the In August there is an office for information. 8 early Jul–
Louis XIII organ loft of 1741. open-air cinema late Aug.

The charming medieval village of Moncontour, perched on a promontory

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