Truncation of the dungeon Louis-Philippe et Napoléon III (≈ 3)
Architectural modification under the monarchy.
XIVe siècle
Initial construction
Initial construction XIVe siècle (≈ 1450)
Circular tower and first defensive structures.
XVe–XVIe siècles
Major transformations
Major transformations XVe–XVIe siècles (≈ 1650)
Addition of a residential tower and Renaissance elements.
milieu du XVIIIe siècle
Sale of the mansion
Sale of the mansion milieu du XVIIIe siècle (≈ 1850)
Change of ownership after abandonment.
8 septembre 1988
Partial classification
Partial classification 8 septembre 1988 (≈ 1988)
Gallery protection and Renaissance fireplace.
1977 et 1994
Successive restorations
Successive restorations 1977 et 1994 (≈ 1994)
Preservation work by two owners.
21 décembre 2015
Overall registration
Overall registration 21 décembre 2015 (≈ 2015)
Protection extended throughout the field.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Renaissance Gallery as well as the Renaissance fireplace on the ground floor of the large tower (Box A 127): classification by decree of 8 September 1988; The manor house of the Fresnaye and its extensions in full, the facades and the roof of the farmhouse, the hydraulic installations (including the well), as well as the base of the soils of plots 125 to 127, located at the place called the Ash, on plots No 125, No 126, No 127, appearing in the cadastre section A: inscription by decree of 21 December 2015
Key figures
Information non disponible - No names cited in the sources
Historic owners are not identified.
Origin and history
The manor house of the Fresnaye, located in Saint-Germain-de-la-Coudre in the Orne, is one of the oldest manor houses of the Perche still standing, having escaped the fires of the Hundred Years War. Its architecture reflects continuous modifications since the 14th century, with a circular tower pierced by murderers and remarkable Renaissance elements, such as a gallery and a classified fireplace.
In the 17th century, the mansion was abandoned for lack of maintenance, then sold in the 18th century. Under Louis-Philippe and Napoleon III, his dungeon was truncated. Used as a farm until the middle of the 20th century, it was restored from 1977 and since 1994 it has been restored. Its most valuable parts, including the Renaissance Gallery, were protected in 1988, before a global inscription in 2015.
The estate also includes hydraulic installations (wells) and a farmhouse, whose facades and roofs are preserved. The exact location, The Ash, corresponds to the cadastre section A (parcelles 125–127). Although the sources are lacking for some historical details, its architectural evolution, from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, makes it a rare testimony of the percheron seigneurial habitat.
The Perche region, to which Saint-Germain-de-la-Coudre belongs, was historically an area of transition between Normandy and the Paris basin. The manors played a central role in the feudal organization, serving both seigneurial residences and agricultural centres. The presence of murderers and circular towers, such as at the Fresnaye, illustrates the local defensive needs during the Hundred Years War.
Today, the mansion combines medieval and reborn heritage, with elements such as the 14th century tower or the fireplaces of the Second Renaissance. These features make it an emblematic site of the Orne, enhanced by the Perche Regional Natural Park and local conservation associations, such as Remparts de Normandie.
Announcements
Please log in to post a review