VALTIER DE CHOISEUL MANSION KNOWN AS DU BREUIL OF ST-GERMAIN
Listed Building - Late 16th century.
In 1576 Sébastien de Valtier de Choiseul acquired a large piece of land and had built a private mansion. The ensemble is endowed with a watchtower overlooking the square and has a bossed base. The facade giving on to the courtyard is symmetric. The decor is essentially focused on the door, which has a plethora of mannerist themes much in the spirit of the late 16th century. With pitted and diamond faced bosses, horns and vases of plenty, arched pediment and lions muzzles the doorway becomes more important than its size merits. Around 1770 Philippe Profilet de Dardenay transformed the perpendicular wing and gave it a new facade, using the proportions of the Renaissance wing, with a central section, which is emphasised by being brought gently forward, French windows, a circular window and a pediment. Two garlands of flowers, two busts on corbels and a medallion in terracotta, perhaps representing the owner, complete the decor. A surrounding wall and gateway were added at this time. In the 19th century the Du Breuil de St-Germain family added dormer windows, originally from other renaissance buildings.