In Normandy, between Bayeux and Port-en-Bessin-Huppain, near to the beaches and main D-Day Landing sites,
a 19th-century manor house, with an orangery, 16th-century stables and outbuildings, on 5 hectares of land, two of which can be built on with planning permission
a 19th-century manor house, with an orangery, 16th-century stables and outbuildings, on 5 hectares of land, two of which can be built on with planning permission
Caen,
CALVADOS
lower-normandy
14000
FR
Location
In the western part of the Calvados department, in the Pays de Bessin area and more precisely the village of the same name, the Commes manor house is the jewel in the crown of rich architectural and historical heritage that notably includes a listed 11th-century church, several imposing residences and remarkable monuments from the 18th century. Port-en-Bessin-Huppain, France’s seventh largest fishing port, boasting a fish auction, shellfish market, restaurants and convenience stores, is just 2 kilometres away. The medieval town of Bayeux, which emerged unscathed from the bombardments of 1944 and is world famous for its preserved 11th century tapestry depicting the William the Conqueror's victory in 1066, is 8 km away. From its railway station, Paris can be reached in 2 hours and 15 minutes. Caen-Carpiquet airport is 30 minutes away.
Description
A small country road heading to Port-en-Bessin-Huppain winds through the village of Commes and along the edge of the estate. The medieval style tower and Norman house built with stone and timbered framing on the one hand and the stone estate keeper’s house on the other hand act as a wall marking the entrance to the manor’s estate, which can be seen on the right. The west-facing orangery is slightly set back from the manor house itself. The estate is completed by the stables at the rear of the plot. The manor house has three storeys, including an attic, and is made of rubble stone. The harmony and symmetry around the grand entrance on the main façade, which is split into three sections, is what characterises the overall architecture.
The gabled roof in natural Spanish slate has three fancifully shaped gable dormers topped by a pinecone decorative feature. This symmetry can also be seen in the way the façade is punctuated with rectangular, ashlar-framed stone cross-windows illuminated by stained glass in a range of colours and shapes. In the middle of the ground floor, the double entrance door stands in an arched opening dotted with many architectural features. The entrance is framed on each side by a narrow window as well as a buttress and is topped by triangular terminal, supported by two columns, adorned by a pinnacle on which there is a statue of a guard dog holding a coat of arms depicting the date of the most recent renovation in 1900. The more complex rear façade can be seen from the road. At the corner stands a square tower that is the same height as the manor house. There is also a semi-hexagonal tower, topped with crenelations, in which there is an entrance door.
The gabled roof in natural Spanish slate has three fancifully shaped gable dormers topped by a pinecone decorative feature. This symmetry can also be seen in the way the façade is punctuated with rectangular, ashlar-framed stone cross-windows illuminated by stained glass in a range of colours and shapes. In the middle of the ground floor, the double entrance door stands in an arched opening dotted with many architectural features. The entrance is framed on each side by a narrow window as well as a buttress and is topped by triangular terminal, supported by two columns, adorned by a pinnacle on which there is a statue of a guard dog holding a coat of arms depicting the date of the most recent renovation in 1900. The more complex rear façade can be seen from the road. At the corner stands a square tower that is the same height as the manor house. There is also a semi-hexagonal tower, topped with crenelations, in which there is an entrance door.
The manor
After its probable initial construction in the 16th century, the manor was rebuilt in neo-Gothic style in 1869. For a long time, it belonged to the Lord of Commes. Its second owner, Jules Heuzey called upon Parisian architects Auguste Duvert and Adrien Hamelin to comprehensively restore and decorate it along with the rest of the estate. Today, it is in the first phase of undergoing a significant renovation, as many elements of the interior décor are no longer in place.
The ground floor
It is made up of four large rooms set out one after another in a right angle in the extension on the north facing façade. Each room boasts a period fireplace that underlines its uniqueness, in either wood, marble or stone, and they are decorated with drawings or frescoes. The two lounges have high ceilings with exposed coloured joists decorated with floral patterns. The floors also highlight the specific ambiance and personality of each room, either through cement tiles boasting geometric or floral patterns, or through more sober small terracotta tiles.
Most of the walls have been stripped back during renovations and are entirely covered in limewash rendering. As a result, they are ready to lend themselves to a new decorative style. A wooden spiral staircase enhanced by cast-iron decorative features leading to the upper level can be found in the tower.
The upstairs
This space has been entirely redesigned as part of renovations and as a result there are few partitions. However, each area of this storey still boasts the period fireplaces and coloured stained-glass windows.
The tower
Inspired by the tower at the Nollent Manor in Caen and built in 1910, it represents a condensed version of the period’s different architectural styles. It is made out of rubble stone and stands adjacent to a square stone tower topped with a roof made of flat tiles on one side and a free-stall made of ashlar with a semi-conical limestone roof on the other. The entrance and free-stall are finely embellished. An exterior masonry spiral staircase leads into the tower, which requires a complete interior renovation.
The orangery
This west-facing Louix XVI style building made of ashlar is topped with a roof terrace and balconies surrounded by stone balusters. Its seven windows bathe the interior with light.
The other buildings
The stables, Norman house and estate keeper’s house are made of rubble stone. The half-timbered structure on the first floor of the Norman house, as with the fake half-timbered decorative features around a chessboard style brick and stone chimney flue exude an architectural atmosphere typical of Normandy. All three buildings are completely empty.
The land
The photos taken by priest Abbé Dubosq, a famous photographer from Bessin, show the harmoniously designed gardens that once graced the southwest side of the manor house. The boundary of the gardens was marked by a baluster which is still present today. Today, the property’s land is simply covered with grass as well as some impressive trees. Left to nature, several copses and natural hedges have grown.
2 hectares of this land can be built on, with planning permission already granted for all 23 buildings.
Our opinion
This original and unique architectural complex has much potential. The many windows adorned with coloured stained glass create a whole array of light effects generating an atmosphere of yesteryear and a fairytale journey back in time. In this respect, the photos taken by priest Abbé Dubosq are invaluable witnesses to the Commes manor’s past. The plans and sketches drawn up in anticipation of future accommodation and reception capacity are in inspiration for a wide range of activities. The 2 hectares of land that can be built on in close vicinity to the remarkable D-Day Landing sites make this location and ideal focal point for a Normandy Landings themed project.
1 980 000 €
Fees at the Vendor’s expense
Reference 850394
| Land registry surface area | 5 ha |
| Main building surface area | 400 m2 |
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NB: The above information is not only the result of our visit to the property; it is also based on information provided by the current owner. It is by no means comprehensive or strictly accurate especially where surface areas and construction dates are concerned. We cannot, therefore, be held liable for any misrepresentation.
