Ref.4844 : 15th-C. listed manor house in need of restoration in Normandy
This remarkable 15th-C. building stands in the heart of Normandy, in the north-west of the Orne department, bordering Calvados; it serves as the gateway to the legendary ‘Norman Switzerland’ and is the undisputed jewel of the local heritage.
Under the watchful eye of its church, nestled amongst a sparse neighbourhood, this imposing defensive manor house exudes the elegance of its wide, water-filled moat.
With all amenities within 5 km (supermarket, various shops, medical centre, nurse, home help, care home, secondary school…), the village offers a vibrant range of services and shops essential for daily life.
The town of ARGENTAN, four leagues away, provides the economic activity of a town of 15,000 inhabitants.
Away from the hustle and bustle, in a wild and protected wooded landscape, this property enjoys a peaceful setting, much sought after by those longing for silence….
History has written a chapter of authenticity here, now in need of preservation and restoration, under the watchful and benevolent eye of the historic monuments authorities, who have recognised the beauty of the site, leading to its listing as a historic monument in 2011.

The main building now consists of two adjoining structures, each reflecting the alterations made between the 15th and 17th-C., a fact perfectly illustrated by the north façade.
The south façade is adorned with two freestanding pepperpot towers, roofed with slate, in contrast to the main building, which features flat tiles covering a steep hipped roof. The two monumental chimney stacks rising from the roof define the volume of the 15th-C. manor house; the one decorated with balls of nobility indicates the former gable wall. The manor house was extended in the 17th-C., and the internal layout redesigned.
The building is constructed on two main levels, topped by a vast attic.
The windows betray the passage of centuries, with their disparate dimensions… Among other features, a 17th-C. mullioned window with wooden shutters remains, considered unique in the department.
The building is constructed of granite stone set with lime mortar, with a radiant ochre hue in the sunlight.
The main door and the pediment of the central gable are very finely carved. The cartouche adorning the entrance door bears the coat of arms of the OSMONT de BRAY family, the builders of the manor.
On either side of the main house stand the principal outbuildings, confirming the complex’s status as a manor farm.

With an internal living area of 300 sqm, the manor house is laid out as follows:
Ground floor: Central entrance opening onto a straight granite staircase leading to the first floor.
To the left, a small tiled hallway leading to a small room (cement tiles), used as an office/library.
A large tiled kitchen, enhanced by a beautiful monumental granite fireplace (listed building).
Adjoining utility room in the tower. Sink provided.

Access to a mezzanine level comprising a main room (wooden floor) and two smaller, set-back rooms.
One of these leads to a vast attic with a ‘cathedral-style’ oak roof structure. Cob floor.
These three rooms once served as the town hall…
On the right, a large dining room centred around a monumental fireplace (listed); granite slab floor.
Very good average floor-to-joist height : 3.45 m.

First floor: Bedroom 1 (terracotta tiles) – monumental granite fireplace – exposed joists. En-suite bathroom in the tower.
Wooden staircase leading to a large attic with a « cathedral-style » oak roof structure. (Ceiling height: 5.50 m).
Shower room (terracotta tiles) with en-suite toilet (macerator toilet) .
Bedroom 2 (wooden floor) – monumental granite fireplace – plastered ceiling – direct access to the shower room.
Parquet-floored hallway leading to bedroom 3 (wooden floor) – massive granite fireplace. Water point present. Exposed joists.
(Average floor-to-joist height : 2.85 m to 3 m).

Outbuildings :
As a manor farm, this property comprises several outbuildings, arranged around a farmyard separated by a hedge:
1) Adjoining the manor house: a long stone outbuilding with a slate roof (roofing to be provided), extended in the 17th-C.
- It comprises a former dairy (with a fireplace), adjoining the west tower;
- Former stables (with terracotta floor tiles) and cowsheds;
- Large garage and canopy (carriage house);
- Hayloft above the whole.
2) On the east gable of the manor house, a small L-shaped outbuilding: boiler room;
- External stone staircase leading to a loft, and providing access to the mezzanine level of the manor house, previously described as the former town hall.
- Cider cellar in the lower section.
3) A spacious stone outbuilding with a fibre-cement roof (Dimensions: 25 x 8 m and 8 x 7.5 m). A two-part barn on a clay floor. Surprisingly, the section situated on the north gable of this outbuilding does not belong to the manor house.
4) Former stone and brick dwelling with a slate roof (disused).
5) Former cider press, built of stone with a slate roof, overgrown with vegetation.
The outbuildings offer interesting potential, but all require substantial work.

Land :
The estate has probably lost a building that once stood to the north, running parallel to the manor house.
It is now a private residence. A screen of trees nevertheless ensures that everyone retains a degree of privacy.
The land is thus divided between a courtyard (2,468 sqm) situated to the north, providing access to all the outbuildings and forming the main and only entrance to the manor house, and a pleasure garden set back from the moat.
The manor house has a terrace on the south façade, running the entire length of the building.
A charming wash house adorns the edge of the moat….
A culvert (in need of repair) allows you to cross the moat to access a grassy plot of approximately 2,600 sqm.
A small plot of 54 sqm, formerly a vegetable garden, set back from the eastern moat.
There is potential to purchase additional land.

Cabinet LE NAIL - Lower-Normandy - Mr Eric DOSSEUR : +33 (0)2.43.98.20.20
Eric DOSSEUR, Individual company, registered in the Special Register of Commercial Agents, under the number 409 867 512 .
We invite you to visit our website Cabinet Le Nail to browse our latest listings or learn more about this property.

Information on the risks to which this property is exposed is available at: www.georisques.gouv.fr