Initial South Wing Date 1622 (≈ 1622)
Original south wing before reconstruction.
1646
Construction of housing
Construction of housing 1646 (≈ 1646)
Central granite body.
1661
Poterno date
Poterno date 1661 (≈ 1661)
Poterno and entrance pavilions.
1768
Reconstruction of the North Wing
Reconstruction of the North Wing 1768 (≈ 1768)
High elevation and woodwork preserved.
1924
Reconstruction of the South Wing
Reconstruction of the South Wing 1924 (≈ 1924)
Full wing replacement.
8 décembre 1981
Registration for Historic Monuments
Registration for Historic Monuments 8 décembre 1981 (≈ 1981)
Protection of facades and roofs.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Façades and roofs of the manor house with its two wings and of the poterne with the two entrance pavilions (Box C 70): inscription by order of 8 December 1981
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
Sources do not mention any names.
Origin and history
The Manor House of the Mounts of Andaine, located in the town of Saint-Maurice-du-Désert (Orne), is a typical example of the architecture of Domfrontais. Built mainly of granite, it consists of a central house body dating from 1646, surrounded by two low wings forming a quadrilateral around a court of honor. This device is closed by a gate and two square pavilions, connected by a wall. The poterne, marked by the date of 1661, bears witness to this period of initial construction.
The north wing of the mansion was rebuilt and raised in 1768, housing an apartment with partially preserved woodwork. Conversely, the south wing, originally dated 1622, was completely rebuilt in 1924. The rear façade of the house and the interior underwent rearrangements in the 19th century, while the two corner turrets were enhanced and covered with arrows. These transformations illustrate the successive adaptations of the building to the needs and tastes of its occupants throughout the centuries.
The manor house has been partially protected as historical monuments since 8 December 1981, with an inscription covering its facades, roofs, as well as the poterne and its entrance pavilions. This classification underlines its heritage importance in the Orne department, where it is one of the emblematic buildings of the Normandy region. Its architecture thus blends defensive elements, such as flag murderers, with later residential features.
The location of the manor house, south-east of the village of Saint-Maurice-du-Désert, now integrated into the new municipality of the Mounts of Andaine, makes it a point of historical interest in a territory marked by rural and seigneurial heritage. Available sources, including the Merimée and Monumentum bases, confirm its anchoring in local history, while highlighting the documentary gaps on its occupants or its precise uses over time.
