Maison de la Mère Pourcel, Historical house in Place des Merciers, Dinan, France.
Maison de la Mère Pourcel is a timber-framed medieval house at 3 Place des Merciers with distinctive wooden beams running throughout its structure. The building displays typical northern French medieval construction, with exposed beams creating a striking appearance that characterizes this corner of Dinan's old town.
The house was built in 1458 and expanded in the early 1700s before receiving official protection as a classified monument in 1961. This recognition reflected its importance as one of Dinan's oldest surviving structures.
Before the 2019 fire, this house operated as a restaurant where visitors could taste local Breton cuisine within medieval walls. The place blended everyday dining with the feeling of stepping back several centuries through its historic rooms.
Visiting this house requires checking its current condition, as it underwent major reconstruction following a fire in 2019 with support from regional and public funding. It is best to confirm accessibility details and opening conditions before planning your visit.
Dendrochronological analysis of the wooden beams confirmed construction in 1458, revealing how building techniques from that era withstood centuries of use. This scientific method examined tree rings to date the timber, uncovering details about wood sources likely from nearby forests.
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