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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The mansion of Argentelles, built in 1410 by Guillot d'Ouilly, an officer of the king of France, was initially used as an advanced post to defend the castle of Exmes during the Hundred Years War. Built on a feudal motte surrounded by ditches, it combined a circular tower or palisade with defensive elements such as murderers and mâchicoulis. This strategic site fell into the hands of the English in 1418 before being recovered in 1449 by Richard d'Escalles, descendant of his founder.

In the 16th century, the mansion changed hands several times through inheritances and sales. In 1561, the five heirs of Maurice d'Escalles shared the seigneury, before Jean Billard, controller of the salt shop d'Argentan, became owner in 1562. After his death in 1571, his sons sold the estate to Thibaud de Ruppierre and Jean Le Franc, the latter consolidating his property thanks to his marriage with Françoise d'Escales. Henri IV stayed there in 1591, marking a notable episode of his history.

In the 17th century Bonaventure Le Franc, descendant of Jean, adjusted the defensive aspect of the mansion by adding two sculpted dorms in 1632. The estate then passed into the hands of the Flers family in the 18th century, before falling into ruins after 1880. Saved in extremis in 1957 by Count Robert du Mesnil du Buisson, he was restored over four years and received the prize "Chemins-d'oeuvre en peril". Its architecture, conceived from a single treat in the 15th century, makes it a rare example among Norman manors.

The manor is distinguished by its rectangular stone house, flanked by four corner turrets pierced with murderers and surmounted by a watchroom in corbellation. The park houses a 17th century cylindrical dovecote, a vestige of the ancient castral motte. Partially classified as historical monuments in 1926 and 1966, it illustrates the evolution of fortified houses, moving from military office to a residential and symbolic role in the Auge country.

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