Falaise, Ardennes 14700

A large townhouse to be renovated, from the 16th and 17th centuries, with outhouses divided into apartments, nestled in the town of Falaise in Normandy's Calvados department. 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 Htel 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.