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Origin and history

The Manor House of La Guyardière is an emblematic building located in Domfront in Poiraie, in the department of Orne, Normandy. Built mainly in the 16th and 18th centuries, it represents a typical example of the manors of the Passais, a historical region on the border between Normandy and Maine. The site consists of a collection of commons, defence towers dating from the 16th century, and an 18th-century dwelling, renovated during the reign of Charles X. These elements are organized around two courtyards, surrounded by moat and fence walls.

The access avenue, the facades and roofs of the gate, the corner tower of the courtyard of honour and the house, as well as the moats and walls surrounding them, have been listed as historical monuments since 14 September 1992. This ranking reflects the architectural and historical importance of the mansion, which combines medieval defensive features with more recent developments, reflecting changes in lifestyles and security needs throughout the centuries.

The manor house is located 1.25 km northeast of the town of La Haute-Chapelle, a delegated municipality of Domfront in Poraire, and 1.7 km north of the city centre of Domfront. Its architecture, marked by defensive elements and subsequent changes, illustrates the adaptation of Norman manors to political and social changes, especially between the Middle Ages and the modern era. The site, although partially modified, retains significant traces of its past, providing tangible evidence of local and regional history.

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