Maison des Quatrans

The Maison des Quatrans is a medieval house in central Caen with a wooden facade and timber framing on its street-facing side. The roof is topped by a notable staircase tower that was later remodeled in Renaissance style.

The house was built in the 1460s by Michel Le Fevre, a wealthy tanner, and was an example of civil architecture from that era. Its distinctive staircase tower received its current appearance in the early 16th century when it was renewed in Renaissance style.

The building now hosts various cultural organizations that use it as an active community space. You can see how such historical houses have taken on new roles in modern times.

The building sits in Caen's historical district on Rue de Geôle and is surrounded by other medieval structures that add to the experience of the area. You can best view the timber-framing details from street level and explore the surroundings during a walk through the old town.

In a city filled with stone buildings, this house's wooden facade is a rare architectural choice that sets it clearly apart from its neighbors. This combination of medieval wooden framing and Renaissance elements makes it a special example of the region's architectural history.