Rue du Chapitre (Chapter Street), Rennes

Running east-west, between Place du Calvaire (Calvary or Golgotha Square) and Rue de Montfort, is Rue du Chapitre (Chapter Street). Previously, this street was known as Rue du Four-du-Chapitre for having been the place where an oven belonging to the Chapter of the Cathedral was located.

This area is a melange of architectural styles. Here, within a space of just a few square feet you can see centuries of architecture revealed in full splendour, including some rather curious old buildings, delightful to the eye.

The number of half-timbered houses still standing is quite remarkable, considering that the majority of them were built in the 17th century, before the Great Fire of 1720. Luckily, Rue du Chapitre was largely spared by fire thanks to the owner of the Hôtel de l'Escu de Runefaut, at no. 5, who had paid handsomely for having the neighbouring homes torn down, which ultimately prevented the fire from spreading further.

Built circa 1650, this hotel is a multi-coloured marvel with the façade painted in lively red and yellow ochre, a testimony to the fashion prevalent in the 17th century. Inside this hotel's courtyard is a pretty wooden staircase with turned balusters. In 1988, the building underwent restoration, with its original geometric effect recreated in the spirit of the period using the traces of polychromy discovered during excavations. On the ground floor, it has a tiny restaurant called Le Petit Grenier (Little Attic).

Other houses of note include the Hôtel de Talhouêt, at no. 3 – with two half-timbered floors and a long façade – extant since the 18th century, and first known as the Hôtel du Faouët and then the Hôtel de Villaudon.

At no. 6 is the splendid Hôtel de Blossac, the former residence of the commander-in-chief of the province, boasting a monumental entrance. Built on the site of the former outbuildings of the Hôtel de Brie, this mansion is an architectural marvel of the Age of Enlightenment. Transformed into a residential building in the 19th century, starting from 1977 it has been the headquarters of the Regional Department of Cultural Affairs.

At no. 8, the Hôtel de Brie or Bois de la Motte, dating from 1624, has a pilastered façade, styled as a mix of Classical and Renaissance.

At the corner of Rue de la Psalette and 22 Rue du Chapitre you will spot another beautiful Renaissance decoration. This parliamentarian’s house of the 16th century had an extra floor added in the 18th. Of a particular note here is an interesting detail: one of the corner panels was made from granite to prevent damage caused by cartwheels navigating tight corners.