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Origin and history

The Ouistreham tithes barn is a medieval building located in the city centre, Albert-Lemarignier Square, close to Saint-Samson Church. Dated from the 13th and 14th centuries, it was initially a dependence of the abbey-aux-Dames of Caen. This building was used to store tithes collected from the crops, herds and fisheries of the surrounding villages (Yesstreham, Bénouville, Saint-Aubin and Colleville), representing 10% of local income.

Abandoned during the Hundred Years' War, the barn was rebuilt in the 15th and 16th centuries by reusing original elements. In 1971, the city of Ouistreham acquired it to preserve it, and it was listed as historical monuments in the same year. Major restoration work took place between 1986 and 1988, followed by an exhibition in 2018 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of its rehabilitation.

With an area of 230 m2, the building features a typical architecture with foothills, small windows, a porch and two side doors. Today, it is a communal property that bears witness to the medieval economic system linked to tithes and Norman agricultural history. The barn is now a public historic place, symbolizing the link between the abbey and the surrounding rural communities.

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