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Origin and history

The Sainte-Catherine Manor House is an emblematic 15th-century building located at 8 Paul-Banaston Street in Lisieux, in the religious district of La Friche aux Chanoines. This area, once occupied by ecclesiastical institutions, saw most of its buildings disappear during the bombings of the Battle of Normandy in 1944. The mansion, spared by these destructions, remains one of the few architectural testimonies of that time in the city.

Built of wooden panels, the manor house has a characteristic corbellation of the Lexovian (Lisieux) buildings built after the Hundred Years' War. This architectural style reflects a period of reconstruction and urban renewal, marked by construction techniques adapted to local resources and the defensive or residential needs of the time.

The mansion experienced a notable episode during the French Revolution when it was sold as a national good in 1791. This period of political and social upheaval in France has led to the confiscation and redistribution of many ecclesiastical or aristocratic property. Despite these changes, the building has maintained its structural integrity until today.

In 1935, the facades and roofs of the manor house were listed as historical monuments by an order of 7 October. This official protection recognizes its heritage and historical value, while ensuring its preservation for future generations. The mansion thus embodies both a medieval heritage and a resilience to modern conflicts.

Today, the Sainte-Catherine mansion is distinguished not only by its architecture, but also by its role as a living memory of Lisieux. It illustrates the urban and social evolution of Normandy, from the Middle Ages to the contemporary era, through revolutionary tumults and 20th century wars.

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