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Origin and history

The manor house of Saint-Germain-d'Aunay is a house built at the end of the 15th century on the old fief des Vaux, at the initiative of Guillaume de Mallevoüe. Today, there is still a flag made of sandstone and flint, as well as a scallop. This site, located in the commune of Saint-Germain-d'Aunay (Orne, Normandy), illustrates the seigneurial architecture of the transition between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

Partially destroyed at the end of the 16th century by the Leaguers, the mansion was rebuilt in half-timbered. Major changes occurred in the 19th century, including the expansion of the house and the construction of new outbuildings. At the beginning of the twentieth century Abbé Breuil wrote part of his work on prehistory, while architect Gabriel Ruprich-Robert conducted restorations in 1906-1907.

The facades and roofs of the pavilion have been listed as historical monuments since 17 July 1992. The mansion, owned by the Mallevoüe family since the 14th century, also benefited from important restorations between 1980 and 1982, initiated by Robert de Saint-Hilaire and his wife. The site thus combines medieval, Renaissance and modern elements, reflecting its turbulent history.

The main house, made of wood partially sturdled tiles, contrasts with the dazier pavilion, typical of the early 16th century. The outbuildings, made of brick and half-timbered, complete this architectural ensemble. The mansion is also linked to the intellectual life of the twentieth century, thanks to the presence of Abbé Breuil, a major figure in prehistory.

Located at the bottom of the Mont-Joie valley, the mansion would have replaced an older fortified house. Its architectural evolution, marked by the wars of Religion and successive adaptations, makes it a rare testimony of Norman rural and seigneurial history.

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