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Origin and history

The Mansion des Mathurins is an emblematic building located in Lisieux, Calvados department, Normandy. Built in the 16th century, this wood-paned building is distinguished by its characteristic architecture, with two pavilions connected by a covered gallery. It is located at the bottom of the Touques valley, at the communal limit with Ouilly-le-Vicomte. Its history remains partially enigmatic, but there are indications of a link with a charitable institution.

The origins of the mansion could be traced back to an initiative by Bishop Jourdain du Hommet, who reportedly called the Mathurins religious in Lisieux to run a charitable institution existing since 1165. A decision of the Council of State in 1584 allowed the city to raise funds to build a place dedicated to the sick, which could correspond to this mansion. Although its exact function is not documented, its architecture and history suggest a hospital or charitable vocation.

The mansion was maintained for centuries before being abandoned after its sale in 2003. Damaged by the storm of 1999, which ripped out part of its roof, it was listed in the Historic Monuments in 1928 for its facades, roofs and covered gallery. Since 2022, it has been on sale, raising concerns about its future. Its architecture, combining brick, stone and wood, reflects the construction techniques of the Norman Renaissance.

Composed of two living pavilions and a long two-storey gallery, the mansion features functional elements such as latrines and chimneys. The north pavilion includes one fire room per level, while the south pavilion houses a cellar on the ground floor. These architectural details, combined with its history, are a valuable testimony to the region's hospitable and religious heritage.

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