Manoir de Pen Castel, Manor house in Le Croisic, France
The Manoir de Pen Castel is a former coastal battery building located on the Le Croisic peninsula at the boundary with Batz-sur-Mer near Valentin Beach. The structure was later converted into a private residence and sits directly along the coastal path connecting both towns.
The building was constructed in 1747 as a coastal defense structure to protect the bay. In 1836, the Janvier de La Motte family purchased the property and converted it into a vacation residence, incorporating the former guardhouse into the new structure.
The manor shows how French coastal fortifications were converted into private homes in the 19th century, reflecting a shift from military to social purposes. This transformation represents how strategic locations gained new roles in local life.
The best way to view the building is by walking the well-marked coastal path between Le Croisic and Batz-sur-Mer, which offers exterior views of the property. The location is easily accessible during daytime hours, making it a straightforward addition to a coastal walk.
The Nobel Prize winning physicist Henri Becquerel died here in 1908, as he was connected by marriage to the property owner's family. This connection links the manor to an important moment in scientific history.
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