Goüin Mansion

You’re still in the Plumereau neighborhood of Tours, the city’s most important historic area. Here stands the Goüin Mansion, a gorgeous example of Renaissance architecture. You probably know that the Loire Valley has always been a favorite spot for the French kings. Naturally, with the king and his court around, the nobility followed, building not just castles, but also grand mansions such as this one. Originally, the Goüin Mansion was just a medieval dwelling. Then, in 1510, Nicolas Gaudin, the owner at the time, decided to spruce it up with a major renovation. He took inspiration from the best trends of the time that is, the Italian Renaissance, giving us one of the first Renaissance facades in the Touraine region. What you see here is a hybrid architecture, blending elements from Venetian palaces and flamboyant Gothic styles. Take a good look at the Mansion’s beautiful facade with all those intricate details. Consider yourself lucky to see it today. Up until the early 19th century, the mansion was hidden behind two houses that stood where the entrance gate is now. Today, it’s named after an influential family from Brittany, the Gwens, whose name got twisted into Goüin by the French. They inherited the property in 1738 and kept it in the family until 1925, when it was bequeathed to the Archaeological Society of Tours. Unfortunately, the mansion was almost completely destroyed during the heavy bombings of 1940 and the ensuing terrible fire. These events left a lasting mark on the city and its residents, and of course it took many years of work to restore the city to its pre-war appearance. As for our beautiful mansion, it underwent reconstruction in the 1950s, with partial funding provided by André Goüin and his family. Yet only the entrance gate and the main building were reconstructed. Previously, the building and its gardens extended all the way to the quays! Since 1941, the building has been classified as a historical monument and has recently been transformed into a contemporary art cultural center. Admission is free during temporary exhibitions, so don’t hesitate to satisfy your curiosity! The site is open from Wednesday to Sunday, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.