As well as being connected to our family's history - our parents lived here as newlyweds - Lisieux has the wonderful distinction of being France's second-largest shrine town, known the world over thanks to Saint Theresa. After more than 20 years in Rouen, and now that our children are all students, we set out to find a property located between the coast and Paris which was full of character. We fell in love with Les Pavements, and were extremely lucky to meet the heiress of the former owners, who generously entrusted us the archives.
The Manoir des Pavements combines medieval heritage and Renaissance decoration. It is made up of a large dwelling and several outbuildings including a stable, cellar, wine press, barn and a building used to house an oven. The ground floors of the east and west facades are half-timbered and in white stone, with a first floor covered in corbelled tiles. The first and second floors are adorned with huge beams decorated with imaginative animals, raptors, graceful dolphins, fish with contoured shapes or sea monsters transformed into foliage. The entrance doors have fine Gothic carved architraves, decorated with thistle leaves and plant crosses. There are two coats of arms carved into the crowns of the doors, one of which features a wheel as the main feature, with what we think is the date 1561. It is the coat of arms of the man who built it: the de la Reue family's "golden wheel with eight stripes on an azure field". In 1859, the hayloft that extended from the manor house was replaced by a large brick house now adjoining the main dwelling. The facades and roofs of the manor house were listed as Historic Monuments in 1968. In 2003, the small dwelling and the barn, as well as the facades and roofs of the outbuildings were also listed.
The fief of Les Pavements has been documented since 1426 and appears on the map drawn up by Cassini between 1744 and 1793. Its first known lord was Richard de la Reue, squire, procurator and controller of expenses for the town of Lisieux from 1439 to 1453, succeeded by Jean de la Reue des Pavements between 1453 and 1462. The de la Reue family were patrons of the arts represented by Thomas de la Reue, court councillor and lieutenant-general of the bailiff of Évreux, and his wife Guillemette Guédon. They showed a keen interest in architecture when they took part in the construction of the church of Saint-Jacques in Lisieux, where the arms of Thomas de la Reue and his wife can still be seen on the keystones of the vaults on the lower south side of the nave. On 30 December 1660, the last descendant of the de la Reue family sold the manor to the Ursuline nuns of Lisieux, who held the estate until the French Revolution.
Les Pavements are unique in that they are located close to three of Lisieux's world-famous attractions: the Basilica of Sainte-Thérèse, the Carmelite Convent and Les Buissonnets. A stay in one of the spacious, comfortable suites in the 19th-century part, or in the completely renovated part in the historic wing, will provide a welcome break. In good weather, guests can discover the lapping Haut Douaire stream. On request and subject to certain conditions, we offer nature and detox workshops inspired by Hildegarde de Bingen. Lovers of fine history books also have access to our private library.
Our guests will appreciate the sports trail and cycle path opposite the manor house and along the Orbiquet stream. In the town centre, antiques lovers will certainly find what they are looking for in the pretty "L'Ouestampille" shop. Heading towards the coast, four kilometres south of Deauville, the Plage des Ammonites is a great starting point for an invigorating walk along the cliffs of the Vaches Noires. Château de Vendeuvre, still inhabited by the de Vendeuvre family, is a fine example of 18th-century architecture and lifestyle. The Château de Boutemont and its and gardens in Ouilly-le-Vicomte, The Middle Ages take centre stage at Crève-cœur castle in the summer, with its medieval events including chivalry tournaments, foot battles, shows and historical re-enactments.
Les Pavements manor house has two floors: on the ground floor, there is a lounge and a dining kitchen, on the first floor a 75 m2 apartment and a 40 m2 suite, and on the second floor a second 40 m2 suite.
ref 565636
The manor house has two 40 m2 suites on the first and second floors, comprising a bedroom, living room, shower room or bathroom with toilet.
ref 565636
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