History of Château de Bagatelle

 

Built in the 18th century, the Château de Bagatelle is a graceful Breton manor

located in Saint-Martin-des-Champs. Its perfectly symmetrical architecture is

defined by an octagonal central pavilion with a mansard roof, two gatehouses,

and a classic French garden. At the end of the 18th or early 19th century, a

tower was added—likely following a fire—disrupting the original symmetry.

It was around this time, during the turbulence of the French Revolution, that

the Manor of Carman became known as the Château de Bagatelle.

 

                                                                                           The eastern façade opens onto a majestic cour d’honneur, while the western side reveals a                                                                                                   classified park filled with centuries-old trees, including beeches, chestnuts, and a striking                                                                                                     araucaria. To the north, a chapel dedicated to Saint Anne stands between the old farm                                                                                                         buildings and the main château.

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Listed in the Inventaire Supplémentaire des Monuments Historiques since 1946, Bagatelle is also featured in the book Manoirs et Gentilhommières de France as one of the most remarkable 18th-century châteaux in Brittany.

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A Place Steeped in History

 

The first official record of the estate dates back to 1754, when it was acquired by Pierre de Jollivet, a royal advisor. Confiscated during the Revolution, it became national property, then was bought back by the Jollivet family in 1802 and sold again in 1821.

 

On November 27, 1866, Edmond Puyo—future mayor of Morlaix and a prominent local figure—acquired the château. A patron of the

arts, collector, and artist, he founded the town’s public library, the Morlaix Museum, and an art school. His legacy lives on, and he was

even honored with a square named after him during his lifetime—an exceptionally rare tribute.

 

Among the château’s renowned visitors was the poet Tristan Corbière, nephew of Edmond Puyo.

 

During World War II, Bagatelle was successively occupied by German and then American troops. Thanks to the courage of Suzanne

Laurent, Edmond’s granddaughter, the estate was spared from looting and destruction.

 

 

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Gallo-Roman Roots

 

Long before the château was built, the land itself bore witness to ancient history. Archaeological finds on the estate include:

 

• a Roman milestone along the former Morlaix–Brest road

• a Gaulish grooved stele (from the Second Iron Age)

• dozens of Gallo-Roman artifacts: funerary urns, fibulae, coins, bronze objects…

 

Many of these treasures are now preserved in the Museum of Morlaix.

 

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The Château’s Gîtes

 

Today, the former outbuildings of Château de Bagatelle have been restored into charming holiday cottages. Each gîte offers a blend of historical charm and modern comfort, nestled in a unique heritage setting.

 

Staying at Bagatelle means enjoying a timeless escape—surrounded by history, elegant architecture, and natural beauty—on a property lovingly passed down through generations for over 150 years.

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Constant Puyo, Pictorialist Photographer at the Château de Bagatelle

 

The Château de Bagatelle in Saint-Martin-des-Champs is not only a place of history and

architectural heritage. It has also welcomed remarkable personalities, among them

Constant Puyo (1857–1933), a leading figure of French artistic photography.

 

A member of the Puyo family, connected to the château through Edmond Puyo,

Constant stayed there for a time. It was likely here that he found part of the inspiration

that would nourish his work. A career officer, he devoted himself fully to photography

from the 1890s onward. As an influential member of the pictorialist movement, he

championed the idea that photography could be a true art form, rivaling painting and

drawing.

 

                                                            His images, often created using experimental processes (notably special lenses and artistic blur techniques),                                                                  convey a poetic and timeless atmosphere. Constant Puyo played a major role within the French Society of                                                                    Photography and left a lasting mark on the history of the image through his innovative vision.

 

 

 

By paying tribute to Constant Puyo, the Château de Bagatelle recalls the deep connection between heritage, art, and creativity. His presence at the estate illustrates the cultural richness passed down through generations.