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Origin and history

The Manor House of Villiers-le-Sec, also known as the Manor House of Banville-en-Villiers, is a 17th-century mansion dating back to the 14th century. Located on the former municipality of Villiers-le-Sec, now integrated in Creully sur Seulles (Calvados, Normandy), it stands near the church of St. Lawrence. The site preserves traces of a medieval castle, including a dovecote and 15th century cuisine. The estate was divided between two fiefs: Banville-en-Villiers (main fief) and Villiers, often held by the same families, such as the Boutins, from the 14th century to 1663.

In the 17th century, Pierre Boutin de Victot, baili de Caen from 1621 to 1627, revived the mansion and rebuilt the central part of the house. An inscription on a barn attests to work in 1621 (" THIS GRANGE WAS COMMITTED THE THREE I.E.OUR OF MAY 1621"). In 1663 the castle passed by marriage to François-Hardouin of Oilliamson, Marquis de Courcy, who kept it until 1747. It was then acquired by the family of Loves, which undertook restorations between 1749 and 1768, including the elongation of the house and the building of a gate adorned with schauguettes, typical of Bessin architecture.

The logis seigneurial, rectangular, features high windows and a slate roof pierced with curvilinear frontal chimneys. To the right rises the dovecote of the 15th century, in limestone, reinforced with foothills and surmounted by an angel with coat of arms, probably linked to the priory Saint-Gabriel. A second dovecote and a tree aisle, in the porch, were demolished in the 19th century. The former agricultural communes were partially converted into dwellings in the 20th century. The northern entrance, near the church, has been listed as historical monuments since 15 June 1927.

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