Saint-Germain-de-Livet, Commune in Calvados, Normandy, France
Saint-Germain-de-Livet is a small commune in the Calvados department of Normandy, France, best known for the château that bears its name. The castle sits within a moat-encircled park of trimmed gardens, straight pathways, and old trees.
The Château de Saint-Germain-de-Livet was built in the 15th and 16th centuries, starting with a timber-framed manor house. During the Renaissance, a new wing was added with an arcaded gallery and the castle's now-famous checkerboard facade.
The Château de Saint-Germain-de-Livet is known for its checkerboard facade made of stone and glazed brick, which gives the building a colorful, geometric look that visitors notice right away. Peacocks and swans roam the grounds freely, adding an unexpected liveliness to the setting.
A visit is most comfortable in spring or autumn, when the gardens are in bloom and crowds are smaller. The site is easiest to reach by car, with a free parking lot near the entrance.
Frescoes from the 16th century were found hidden behind plaster inside the castle, revealing scenes of war and mythology that had been covered for centuries. The last heir of the Riesener family donated the property to the town of Lisieux in 1938, which is why it functions as a museum today.
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