Hôtel de Mondrainville, hôtel particulier à Caen (Calvados)
The Hôtel de Mondrainville is a Renaissance private mansion in Caen built in multiple stages between 1531 and 1562. The complex included a main residence, a pleasure pavilion used for banquets and gatherings, and later a large hotel wing with storage areas, each section serving distinct purposes over time.
The building was constructed starting in 1531 for Étienne Duval de Mondrainville, a merchant elevated to nobility in 1548. During the Battle of Caen in World War II, the complex suffered heavy damage, though the small pleasure pavilion survived the bombardment and fires.
The Hôtel de Mondrainville served as a gathering place where the wealthy Étienne Duval de Mondrainville received poets and artists while hosting cultural events for local society. The name 'Hôtel de la Monnaie' reflects its original location near the Mint Yard and shows how residents understood its place in the city.
The mansion sits on Rue Gémare in downtown Caen within walking distance of other historic sites and shops. Since it is a private property not open to the public, visitors can only admire the Renaissance facade and stonework details from the street.
In the early 20th century, painter Madame Domin used sections of the mansion as an art exhibition space and painting studio. This creative interim life of the house as an art venue demonstrates how the property took on different cultural roles across centuries.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
