Origins of the stronghold XIe siècle (≈ 1150)
Initial marshy and defensive zone.
XIVe siècle
First written entry
First written entry XIVe siècle (≈ 1450)
Location documented as a fortified site.
XVe–XVIe siècles
Construction of the current mansion
Construction of the current mansion XVe–XVIe siècles (≈ 1650)
House bodies and built staircase turret.
XVIIe siècle
Changes in openings
Changes in openings XVIIe siècle (≈ 1750)
Drilling new berries.
1700–1899
Interior renovations
Interior renovations 1700–1899 (≈ 1800)
Age remodeled in the 18th to 19th centuries.
30 mars 1976
Classification façades and roofs
Classification façades and roofs 30 mars 1976 (≈ 1976)
Registration for historical monuments.
23 novembre 2004
Ground floor classification
Ground floor classification 23 novembre 2004 (≈ 2004)
Additional protection of the main house.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Fronts and roofs (Cd. EC 58): inscription by decree of 30 March 1976 - All the rooms on the ground floor of the main house (CE 68) : inscription by decree of 23 November 2004
Key figures
Information non disponible - Owners or sponsors
No names listed in the sources.
Origin and history
The manor house of La Palue, located in Domfront en Porairee (Orne), has its origins in the 11th century as a strong place in a marshy area. Mentioned as early as the 14th century, it had moat and a drawbridge that had now disappeared. The current house body, built between the 15th and 16th centuries, integrates defensive elements such as a watchroom in the central turret, surmounted by an open gable roof. The ground floor room retained its original volume, while the floor was redesigned in the 18th and 19th centuries. Openings were added in the 17th century, reflecting its architectural evolution.
The manor consists of a rectangular sandstone house, with a cylindrical staircase turret at its base and square in the upper part. The tile roof, adorned with chimera, covers a back row deemed posterior. Ranked a historic monument in 1976 (façades and roofs) and in 2004 (ground floor), it is described as the "old brother" of Chantepie Castle, highlighting its local heritage importance. The residual defensive elements, such as the watchroom with its powder chimney, bear witness to its strategic past.
The building illustrates the transition between medieval fortified manors and Renaissance seigneurial residences. Its architecture combines residential functions (story lodges) and military functions (doves, watch), typical of Norman constructions of this period. The mention of a link with Chantepie Castle suggests a common family or feudal history, although the sources do not specify the original owners. Successive protections in the 20th century preserved its original features, despite subsequent changes.
