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Origin and history

The façade of the house located on Rue de Bras in Caen dates back to the 16th century and was incorporated into the Musée des Antiquaires de Normandie in 1857. This museum, created in 1854 in the former College of Mount, housed archaeological collections and architectural elements saved from destruction, such as this facade and a medieval porch. The ensemble was listed as historical monuments in 1927, but the museum closed in 1944 after damage suffered during the Battle of Caen.

In 1956, the 16th century facade was dismantled to allow the extension of the rue de Bras, then up to Place Pierre-Bouchard, losing its windows during the works. The 13th century porch was preserved in extremis and resettled there. These elements are evidence of efforts to preserve the heritage of the country despite the destruction of the Second World War.

The Musée des Antiquaires, although physically disappeared, transmitted its collections to the Musée de Normandie in 1983. The façade of the street of Bras remains one of the few visible remains of this 19th century museum project, illustrating the urban and heritage evolution of Caen. Its inscription in 1927 underscores its historical and architectural value, linked to the Norman Renaissance.

The museum's collections, enriched by excavations such as those of Vieux-la-Romane, also included casts and medieval objects. After 1944, part was stolen or destroyed, but the medallist and archaeological artifacts were saved. Today, these collections are scattered between the Museum of Normandy and the Museum of Old Rome.

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