Archaeologists from the French National Institute for Archaeological Research have revealed the ruins of a 16th century castle beneath the courtyard of Hotel Lagorce in the Breton town of Vannes. The discovery, announced on the institute’s official platform, renews interest in Brittany’s medieval past and invites fresh study of the region’s built heritage.
From the 10th through the 16th centuries Brittany operated as a feudal province shaped by the retreat of Viking forces and the rise of locally proud dynasties. The recently uncovered fortress was once linked to Henry IV, who ascended to royal power in 1365, and it formed part of the territorial holdings associated with Jean de Montfort. The castle bore the name Ermine, a scholarly rendering of Ermine, reflecting the noble lineage that governed the duchy during those years.
Ermine castle served as a seat of authority for nearly a century before Jean IV, the grandson of Francis II, shifted Brittany’s political center from Vannes to Nantes. This relocation marked a turning point in the duchy’s political geography and influenced Brittany’s architectural development for generations to come. The current excavation reveals the castle’s first floor, nestled within the hotel’s interior, along with the remains of a tower that once rose above the outer moat. These structural clues point to a fortified residence that balanced defense with everyday life for its occupants.
Ruins show a structure roughly 42 meters long and 17 meters wide, with walls about 5.5 meters thick. Inside the forgotten halls, archaeologists uncovered staircases, stuccoes, and door jambs whose artistry endured through the ages. The team notes how medieval builders fused practical defense with comfortable living spaces, illustrating the dual purpose of Ermine as fortress and home. The architectural pairing offers a vivid glimpse into how aristocratic residences were designed to withstand sieges while hosting courtly life and ceremonial gatherings.
Artifacts recovered from the moat and drainage ditches illuminate daily life at the castle. Among the finds were cooking vessels such as pots and pans, along with other kitchen and domestic utensils. Jewelry and clothing fasteners like buckles, in addition to keys and coins, help sketch a material culture that supported a standing noble household. Each item contributes a fragment to a broader portrait of life at a Breton stronghold that once played a role in regional governance and ceremonial occasions. These objects are now curated to shed light on the social and economic dimensions of the castle era.
The discovery adds a new chapter to Brittany’s architectural record. While many sites yield fortifications and palaces, Ermine castle presents a rare case where an urban hotel complex overlays a defensive noble residence. The layering of centuries of history beneath a modern hospitality site illustrates the palimpsest that characterizes Brittany’s built environment. Researchers emphasize that the find expands understanding of how feudal dwellings adapted to shifting political centers and evolving military technologies. The ongoing study aims to refine timelines for construction phases and clarify the relationship between the castle and nearby urban layouts.
A distant echo of the castle’s former life remains in Brittany’s historical narratives. The transition from Vannes to Nantes was marked by political reorganizations, changes in landholdings, and evolving architectural practices that reflected the duchy’s ambitions. The Ermine fortress, now revealed in part by this excavation, serves as a tangible link to those stories, inviting scholars and locals alike to reexamine how a single site could anchor a region’s political and cultural identity for generations. The findings underscore the importance of careful excavation in constrained urban spaces and highlight the value of preserving buried chapters of history for future generations.