The property stands on a calm street. The old edifice was doubtless an important home at the time of the Catholic League of France – a major participant in the French Wars of Religion. As early as in the 14th century, this part of the town was home to the burghers of Guibray – a district of Falaise. Their land initially belonged to the abbots of the local Abbey of Saint John. Fairs were held here and there were many inns in this district too. The house was probably one of those inns. It is set back from a small square that still bears the name of one of the members of the Catholic League of France in Falaise, from the time of the French Wars of Religion. Nicknamed the Hôtel du Grand Coq, the edifice was later the home of a wealthy parliamentarian. It lies near Notre-Dame de Guibray church and is tucked away on a well-preserved historical street, a short stroll from specialist food shops and amenities. On the street side, the noble edifice has an appearance that is typical of the 16th and 17th centuries. The structure is more wide than tall and is made of Caen stone. On the court side, the building is made up of three dwellings that form a square courtyard, half of which was later linked to the initial dwelling. The edifice’s rear elevation bears witness to the redesigns that have taken place over the course of the centuries: there are corbels, roof slopes and the remains of a tower that was reduced in height and which dates back to at least the 16th century. On the left, a stone elevation is coated with rendering in the modern part. Beyond it, there is a small outhouse with a slate roof and two small-paned windows. Lastly, with its back to the street and leading out through the rear elevation of the main dwelling, there is a former forge that has been converted into a dwelling. It has seven windows. From the court, steps lead to the back of the plot. The property’s walls enclose the whole plot. In the central court, low walls demarcate different small gardens. To the right of main section, on the court side, there is a timber gallery that connects to the different apartments on the first floor.

The main house

The property’s original main entrance, in the first section, which protrudes slightly at the front, has been preserved. On the ground floor, beneath a timber lintel, a heavy oak door stands beside a street window that was added later. To the right, there are old French windows. To the left, set back, there is a second section with two other sets of French windows at the same level. Other old French windows have been walled up and replaced. On the first floor, the lintels and jambs of the windows are remarkable. These six Renaissance-inspired windows are set in surrounds of fine stonework. Some of them are Gothic in style. They surround French-style window frames. On the top floor, in the roof space, there are eight dormer windows. Some of them have been reworked. They stand along a gabled roof of old tiles. Several chimney stacks rise up from the roof. A gas flue runs up the facade.

The ground floor
The entrance door leads into a long corridor that runs from the front of the house to the back. Its floor is adorned with Caen stone. Via this corridor, you can reach the back of the main building. Indeed, at the back, the corridor leads out into a small patio with a round canopy of tiles. Here you find the inner court and outbuildings. In the leftmost part of the edifice there is a first apartment. It offers a kitchen, a bedroom and a reception space. On the court side, to the right of the shelter, there is an extensive room with exposed beams and a floor of terracotta tiles. Several windows bring in natural light, from both the street and court. An imposing fireplace with an early-18th-century chimney breast stands out on one wall. And in the opposite wall, there is an old fireplace that is now walled up. Beyond this room, there are two other rooms. They are smaller, but have the same design, with stone fireplaces from the 17th century. They are currently being renovated. This was the beating heart of the edifice in its early days. Lastly, on the right, beneath the gallery, there are three spaces with a kitchenette. They are currently being renovated. Beyond them, there are three other rooms that still need to be renovated.

The upstairs
From the inner court, you can reach the remains of an old tower. A spiral staircase, the stone structure of which doubtless dates back to the building's time of construction, leads upstairs. Around 15 steps take you up to a timber gallery that connects to three dual-aspect apartments. Each one has a lounge, a bedroom, a kitchenette and a shower room. In the third one, natural light comes in through roof windows. From the gallery, you can admire the different dwellings.

The secondary dwelling

A few front steps lead up to the secondary dwelling from the court. This dwelling adjoins the main dwelling at a right angle to it.

The ground floor
The dwelling has a lefthand room filled with natural light from a window and a staircase that leads up to the dwelling’s two upper floors.

The first floor
The first floor lies at the top of 14 steps. It is divided into two self-contained apartments. The first apartment has three rooms: a lounge and two bedrooms. Across the landing there is a second apartment, which has two rooms and an open-plan kitchen. In both apartments, shower rooms and lavatories conveniently complete the reception rooms and bedrooms. Wood strips, tiling and another covering adorn the floors.

The second floor
Around 15 steps lead up to the second floor. Up here, in the roof space, there is a huge loft with exposed beams. This entire loft could be converted.

The third dwelling

A former forge with its back to the street was renovated in the 1960s. Its facade is coated with rendering.

The ground floor
An entrance hall with a floor of cement tiles connects to two spacious rooms with court-facing windows.

The upstairs
An outdoor staircase leads up to the first floor, which has three rooms with wood-strip flooring and an open-plan kitchen. Above this floor there is a loft.