Manoir d'Hubertant
ManorHidden Treasure
Manoir d'Hubertant, located in Lozon (Manche), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- Manor
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Lozon, Manche, Normandie
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 49.1469, -1.2884
- Mérimée Reference
- PA50000024
Nestling in the Normandy bocage of the Manche département, Hubertant Manor boasts two circular towers pierced by fire hydrants and miraculously intact 16th-century stained glass windows - a rare example of seigniorial architecture from the late Middle Ages.
History
In the heart of the Cotentin peninsula, in the lush green countryside of Lozon, Hubertant manor house is a compendium of five centuries of Norman seigneurial history. The manorial complex, whose foundations date back to the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries, offers a rare architectural coherence: the dwelling, outbuildings, farmhouse and double entrance porch coexist in a balance that still evokes the daily life of a provincial noble residence. What makes Hubertant truly unique is the extraordinary state of preservation of its original features. The wooden mullioned windows have retained their interior shutters and, almost miraculously, their 16th-century stained glass windows. In Normandy, such examples of in situ stained glass are extremely rare. Add to this the nine fire hydrants piercing the two circular towers flanking the dwelling, and you have a manor house that, at the turn of the Wars of Religion, was determined to defend itself. The experience of visiting the manor oscillates between the defensive rigour of the exterior façade and the gentleness of the interiors, which have been redesigned over the generations. The central staircase with its square cage and balustrade banister, added at the beginning of the 17th century, introduces a touch of classical grace to what was once a sober medieval spiral staircase. The 18th-century panelling, parquet flooring and fireplaces complete the picture of a lively residence, adapted to the tastes of each era. The bocage setting enhances the discreet charm of the place. The Normandy hedgerows, sunken lanes and gentle Cotentin light create a natural setting that invites contemplation. Hubertant is not a parade castle; it's a gentleman's manor, intimate and authentic, where the history of France is written in tiny letters - in a preserved stained glass window, a carefully carved loophole, a balustrade turned in the 17th century.
Architecture
The Hubertant manor house is typical of Norman transitional seigniorial architecture, at the crossroads of late Gothic and early Renaissance styles. The main building, flanked by two circular towers, follows a defensive layout inherited from the Middle Ages, while incorporating wider openings and wooden mullioned bays characteristic of 16th-century Normandy. The nine fire hydrants in the towers are a significant defensive feature for a civil building of this size, reflecting a period of marked political and religious instability. The entrance to the property is via a double porch - one for carts, the other for pedestrians - a typical Norman manorial layout, with a hierarchy of accesses according to use. The farm and outbuildings, integrated into the enclosure, are evidence of a unitary conception of the seigneurial estate where the noble residence and farm outbuildings coexist harmoniously. The materials used, mainly Cotentin granite and limestone, give the building its austere grey hue, typical of the architecture of north-western Normandy. Inside, the superimposition of different building campaigns creates a fascinating architectural stratigraphy: the grand square staircase from the early 17th century with its turned baluster banister, the 18th-century panelling and entablature fireplaces, and above all the wooden mullioned windows retaining their original 16th-century stained glass and shutters, the centrepieces of this preserved interior. This continuity of furnishings and decoration is extremely rare in La Manche, and gives the Hubertant manor house exceptional documentary value.
Related Figures
Famille seigneuriale fondatrice du manoir (fin XVe siècle, identité non documentée)Propriétaires du XVIe siècle ayant commandé les tours à bouches à feu et les vitrauxMaître des travaux du XVIIe siècle, auteur de l'escalier à balustresCommanditaires des aménagements intérieurs du XVIIIe siècle (cheminées et lambris)Responsables du service régional de l'Inventaire ayant instruit le dossier d'inscription MH en 2002
Tags
Nearby castles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Manoir d'Hubertant located?
Manoir d'Hubertant is located in Lozon, Manche department, Normandie region, France.
When was Manoir d'Hubertant built?
Manoir d'Hubertant dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Manoir d'Hubertant open to visitors?
Manoir d'Hubertant is currently closed to visitors.
