音频游览 03 - The farm

The buildings in Crèvecœur's lower courtyard maintained their agricultural vocation up to 1970. Their specific purpose appears to have changed in time with Normandy's evolution, and more specifically, the Pays d'Auge (with the development of dairy and cidermaking activities).

These two areas were divided by a partition and did not communicate. The present-day openings were added recently.

The other part of the building comprises what were once the stables and, above them, a large attic to store fodder.

The present building, referred to as the Château de Crèvecœur farm, is one of five agricultural buildings located within the castle enclosure. It is a mixed building associating living quarters and an agricultural purpose. Its construction dates back to the late Middle Ages.

Initially, part of the building was used as a dwelling place. It was a relatively wealthy home. We know this because it comprises a living room on the ground floor with a mural fireplace, a luxurious fixture at the time. The upper floor is home to a bedroom which is accessed via an inside stair located to the right of the fireplace.

In the Middle Ages, homes comprising one single room were more common. Too comfortable to be a peasant home, the present building may have been reserved for the castle intendant.