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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The manor house of the Court, located in Putanges-le-Lac in the department of Orne, is an emblematic home of the 15th and 17th centuries. It was listed as a historic monument in 2011 and is distinguished by its granite architecture, its two peppers and moats, characteristic of the manor houses of the Houlme region. The so-called Court of St. Croix, near the church, houses this testimony of Norman seigneurial history, marked by archaic architectural influences.

The present building dates mainly from the second half of the 15th century, with major expansions between 1660 and 1690. Built by the Osmont de Bray family, the mansion then passes into the hands of two families lords of Putanges. In the 19th century, the property was divided and changed, partially altering its original structure. Protected elements include facades, chimneys, barn and hydraulic system.

The south facade, decorated with two pepper and moat, reflects a deliberately archaic style, although the frames were not dated by dendrochronology. A cartridge above the front door features the Osmont de Bray coat of arms, while the main door and the central skylight feature finely worked sculptures. The west wing is singularized by a cross window, and the commons are remarkably neat, highlighting the prestige of this seigneurial mansion.

The manor house of the Court embodies the architectural and social evolution of Normandy, from the wars of Religion to the modern era. Its inscription in 2011 devotes its heritage value, while highlighting the constructive granite techniques and the spatial organization typical of the noble homes of the region. The traces of the seigneurial families, such as the Osmont de Bray, remain visible through arms and successive arrangements.

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