Between Caen and Lisieux
Crevecoeur
Castle
An exceptional site in the heart of Normandy
Ten centuries of history
A unique example of a small and miraculously well-preserved seigniory,
Crèvecœur has survived to the present day, almost intact.
Please note, under current circumstances, games and interactive spaces are not accessible.
The opening hours as well as certain events have been modified. See our home page and agenda for more details.
The gatehouse (XVIème siècle)
The 16th gatehouse is flanked by two round turrets topped with a pointed roof. Boasting a portal, the ground floor was constructed with alternating brick and stone. The upper floor was constructed in timber paneling with the wall framing made of bars and fern leaves. The Gatehouse was moved then rebuilt outside the medieval site in 1973, this edifice comes from the castle of Beuvillers, 20 kms from here, near Lisieux.
The farm (XVème siècle)
In Middle Ages the farm have two areas were divided by a partition and did not communicate. It is a mixed building associating living quarters and an agricultural purpose, with the stables and, above them, a large attic to store fodder. It was a relatively wealthy home. We know this because it comprises a living room on the ground floor with a mural fireplace, a luxurious fixture at the time. The upper floor is home to a bedroom which is accessed via an inside stair located to the right of the fireplace. The present building may have been reserved for the castle intendant.
The dovecote (XVème siècle)
In the Middle Ages, the dovecote housed the Lord’s pigeons. Owning a dovecote was a privilege reserved to noble people. And since the dovecote was a symbol of wealth, its construction was executed with great care. Inside, it measures a height of around 8 metres (that is 26 feet) and comprises 1,500 boulins (that is pigeon holes), each one to house a pair of pigeons. Thanks to its flight holes, located on the roof, the birds could leave the dovecote to look for food and protection from predators.
The barn (XVIème siècle)
This barn is built on a stone basement wall, topped with fully vertical timber panelling. Reestablished in 1972, upon the site of a building destroyed in the 19th century, it was used as a barn, a stable and a press. This building used to be a tithe barn in the 16th century.
The chapel (XIIème siècle)
The castle lord’s chapel was generally located in the upper bailey. However, Crèvecoeur’s chapel is in the lower bailey, probably because the upper bailey was too small to house it. The chapel’s architecture recalls Roman art. It has lateral buttresses, strengthening the walls, with a fullcentre arch and inside, a half-round arch with regular indentations, above the entrance door. the bottom of the chapel and discover the wall paintings. In the 12th Century, walls were plastered. Wall paintings followed a geometrical pattern and false cut stones imitating more prestigious edifices.
The simple garden
“The Simple Garden” consists of medicinal plants.
It is divided into six sections :
- plants to treat fevers,
- plants used in war,
- plants for minor ailments,
- women’s plants,
- animal plants,
- plants for hygiene.
The lord’s dwelling (XVème siècle)
15th century lord’s dwelling was built on a basement wall, the upper floors are in vertical timber panelling with large slanting braced rooms, it leans against the curtain wall. Originally, an outside staircase led straight to the first floor.
There were three floors:
> The ground floor: the servants’ quarters,
> First floor: reception area
> Second floor: private residence with the bed-rooms.
The dwelling-place was inhabited until 1970.
