AN EXCEPTIONAL ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE
The beautiful granite houses and private mansions surrounding the Place du Martray are proof of the (mot omis) prosperous trade and (mot omis) the classical architecture of the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Hotel Sevoy (17th century)
This is the most notable house in Jugon. This bourgeois mansion was the property of the Sevoy family. Its owner, who was the son of an influential family, probably wanted his house to reflect his wealth and power. The Hôtel Sevoy is often mistakenly taken to be Jugon castle. Though it is not a stronghold, the Hôtel Sevoy was modelled in that image. This magnificent edifice, built in 1634 near the site of the castle (that it probably intended to replace), is architecturally unusual, in a medieval style adapted to the fashion of this time. (octagonal tower, circular windows, decorated pediment…). This monument has been ranked as a National Historic Monument since 1975.
Practical information :
The Hôtel Sevoy is a private property which is being restored. Therefore, it is not open to visitors.
Notre Dame Church and Saint Etienne Priory
The current church was built over the remains of the Saint Etienne Priory, founded by the Benedictine monks on the riverside in the 12th century. The church has been modified several times over the course of the centuries.
The only element remaining from the 12th century is the great portal in a pure roman style opening onto the nave.
The church tower dates from the 14th and 15th centuries. Its double-sided roof in a Norman style is almost unique in Brittany; the reason for this is not known.
The whole southern gable (right side of the transept) with its arched portal, dates from the 16th century, as well as the whole southern part of the nave.
In 1973 and 1974, (mot omis) important work of restoration was undertaken in the church.
It is an unpretentious church but at the same time, luminous and conducive to meditation.
Elements not to be missed :
 West portal in a Roman style dating from the 12th century
Calvary ranked among the National historic Monuments (whose pedestal represents the symbols of the four Evangelists)
3 exceptional stained-glass windows (one relating the history of Jugon, one paying tribute to Jugon’s soldiers killed during World War One, and one symbolizing the separation of Church and State in 1905)
Remains of baptismal bowl from the Benedictine priory
(A crucifix made of ivory, which was stolen from the church, has unfortunately not been found)
Practical information :
Because of the potential theft of religious artefacts, Jugon’s church is only open to visitors during guided tours (every Tuesday morning in July and August, on booking the rest of the year).
Town Hall
The Current Town Hall stands on the site of the Sainte Anne Chapel, which was destroyed during the French Revolution (end of the 18th century).
In 1836, the Town Council decided to build a great covered market in the lower part of the Place du Martray. The open-air ground floor used to welcome the stallholders, whereas the first floor used to be the premises of the Town Hall. This building was destroyed about 1931, and some of the stones were salvaged: one can admire these stone arches at number 10, Place du Martray.
The new Town Hall, called “Maison Sainte Anne”, was built in 1860 using some of the stone from the former Sainte Anne Chapel (a point of interest is the pediment in the Renaissance style, inspired by the Greek temples).
Not to be missed :
Inside the Town Hall, one can admire a coat of arms of Jugon, and a foundation stone, both salvaged from the former Sainte Anne chapel.
Maison de la tête noire
This is a half-timbered house of the late 16th century, and is the oldest house in Jugon. It was built with a very mixed architectural style: one can see that every pediment is different. A legend is attached to this house: it was said that this house was connected to the Château of Jugon by a tunnel, where a woman’s body preserved in salt was discovered.
Maison de l’Escu
This house dating from the 17th century, today a restaurant, is one of the most picturesque edifices of the town. Its name is taken from the family “De L’Escu” from the region of Dol-de-Bretagne. Its monumental emblazoned fireplace was salvaged from the Château of Jugon after its destruction in 1616.
Washing places
In Jugon, one can still find some communal washing places (rue du Four, rue de la Triballe) dating from the late 19th century.
The river running alongside houses at the back of the Place du Martray had allowed their owners to possess a washing place and covered toilets, but the evolution of the village at the 19th and the lack of hygiene made it necessary to build communal washing places.
A public washing place used to enable people to wash their linen on site, in a cauldron.
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