Maison Cornec is one of two eco-museums in Monts d”Arrée region run by Department of Finistère . It is in the outskirts of the sleepy settlement of St-Rivoal, made up of a few houses round a square and a small church. In its time this had been an important place at a major crossroads.
The house is set away from the village down a sunken grassy lane and is surrounded by orchards, trees and sunken lanes. It is a delightful spot.
Yvon Cornec and Anna Roustal came here in 1702. The house has been restored and is a typical example of an 18thC farm with outbuildings. The house is built of stone and has a tiled roof and beaten earth floor. A covered external staircase leads to the upper floor which has a small fireplace and was used for storage and also sleeping. This is now an exhibition area.
There is a central passageway with doors at each end. Animals lived in one end, the family in the other. There is a large fireplace and the fire was lit directly on the floor. There are two carved box beds with big storage chests by them. There is a slate bench running along the side of the wall for sitting and a large wooden table.
Outside the house is a horse gin and two bread ovens. The stone barns house exhibitions on the restoration of the house and the surrounding area.
There are no facilities at the site. The site is easily accessible for people with disabilities.
We visited the last day of the season. There was no-one on site and entry was free.
The website for Maison Cornec is here: www.ecomusee-monts-arree.fr/index.php?page=maison-cornec
Our pictures of Maison Cornec pictures start here: http://wasleys.org.uk/france/brittany_11/aa_wk1/02/index.html
