Coupesarte – Manor House, Church and Historical Art

The Manoir de Coupesarte and the Église Saint Cyr-Sainte Juliette give a trip to Coupesarte a cultural and historical focus. At the manor house, the emphasis is on its architectural style, half-timbering and several building phases; the church adds architecture, protected furnishings and a painting from 1621. A longer bike ride also passes the manor house. You can therefore plan your trip around architectural history, church art or a route between Caen and Lisieux.

Manoir de Coupesarte: Half-Timbering and Architectural History

The Manoir de Coupesarte stands on a square platform surrounded by moats and retains its original timber framing. The oldest part dates from the 15th century, while the rear wing dates from the 17th century. This makes it possible to distinguish different building phases within the same estate. The square platform and moats describe the layout of the complex; the half-timbering and dated parts of the building offer another way to explore its architectural history.

By an order dated October 21, 1947, the manor house, its barns, stables and moats were classified as historic monuments. This protection covers not only the manor house itself but also the specified parts of the estate. During an exterior visit, you can take in the complex as a whole: its designation as a monument applies to several parts, not just the manor house itself.

Church, Architecture and Protected Art

The Église Saint Cyr-Sainte Juliette has an elongated layout, a flat east end and a northern extension. It was built using Caen limestone, wood, slate and brick. Its architectural features can be considered in terms of the floor plan, the choir’s east end and the extension. The flat east end refers to the straight termination of the choir; the extension is on the north side.

Several items of church furnishings are protected as Monuments historiques, including an altar and a retable from the first half of the 18th century. The painting “Le Martyre de saint Cyr et de sainte Julitte,” dating from 1621 and housed in the church, is also protected. It depicts the martyrdom of Saint Cyr as a child and his mother, Saint Julitte. To place the artworks in their historical context, note the two different dates: the painting dates from 1621, while the altar and retable are from the first half of the 18th century.

Exterior Visit and Bike Ride

The manor house can be viewed from the outside free of charge throughout the year. If you plan an exterior visit, check the current visitor information beforehand. The “Les Rayons de Bronze” route from Caen to Lisieux is 139 kilometers long and is a circular route that passes the Manoir de Coupesarte as a point of interest. Since route details may change, check the current route before setting off.

An exterior visit and a bike ride offer different ways to plan: the first concerns a visit to the manor house, while the second is a 139-kilometer route between Caen and Lisieux. If you are looking for hotels for your trip to Coupesarte, this distinction can help you plan your itinerary around a particular theme. You can focus on architectural history and protected art, or make the bike ride an important part of your trip.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Ouen-Des-Besaces, Castillon-En-Auge, Argences, Saint-Martin-Don, Trouville-Sur-Mer, Fatouville-Grestain, Les Loges-Saulces, Saint-Germain-De-Livet.

For the broader travel overview: Calvados.