Initial construction 2e moitié du XVIe siècle (≈ 1650)
Period of construction of the original mansion.
Années 1960
Acquisition by Yul Brynner
Acquisition by Yul Brynner Années 1960 (≈ 1960)
Purchase and start of restoration work.
1971
Installation of Yul Brynner
Installation of Yul Brynner 1971 (≈ 1971)
Start of permanent residence.
1985
Last summer of Yul Brynner
Last summer of Yul Brynner 1985 (≈ 1985)
Final stay before his death.
6 janvier 2004
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 6 janvier 2004 (≈ 2004)
Official home and facade protection.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The whole house; the facades and roofs of the rebuilt building (former mansion of Launay from the commune of Sainte-Martin-de-Bienfaite) (Box B 219, placed Criqueboeuf): inscription by order of 6 January 2004
Key figures
Yul Brynner - Owner and resident
Actor having restored and lived in the mansion.
Origin and history
The Criqueboeuf mansion, located in Bonnebosq in Calvados, dates from the second half of the 16th century. Originally, he was part of the Launay mansion, located in Saint-Martin-de-Bienfaite-la-Cressonnière. Threatened by ruin, it was dismantled, restored and rebuilt to its present location, where only the central part, the oldest, was raised.
The building features a typical architecture of the late 16th century, with a central body in wooden panels flanked by two square stone defensive towers. They are home to chimneys, murderers and mouths. The house was later enlarged by a corridor serving a stone staircase, according to a classical plan of the era, inspired by the models disseminated by the engraving.
In the 20th century, the mansion was acquired by actor Yul Brynner in the 1960s. The latter resided there from 1971 and spent its last summer there in 1985. After his death, some of his ashes were spread on the site. The house has been listed as a historic monument since January 6, 2004, protecting its architectural heritage and history.
The monument illustrates both the defensive and residential architecture of the Norman Renaissance, while bearing the trace of a more recent history linked to an international figure in cinema.
