Than mansion

The mansion on your right is the Than Mansion. It was built around 1527 for Thomas Morel, who was lord of two communes in Calvados. A few years later, large Renaissance-style dormer windows were added to the roof, featuring salamanders. Not sure if you can properly see them from where you are, but try to look at the spandrels above the dormers. You can see some kind of animal that seems to spit flames like a dragon. This is the famous François 1st salamander, which has become an emblem of Renaissance architecture in France. In the medieval imagination, the salamander is believed to be an animal capable of escaping fire unscathed. This is why it is often depicted with flames. It symbolises purification and triumph over past trials. François 1st chose it as his royal emblem, and you will often find it on iconic buildings of his time, such as the Chambord and Fontainebleau castles. In the 19th century, the mansion became the residence of Abel Vautier, Member of Parliament for Calvados. He began to decorate his house with a whole host of artistic objects such as earthenware, porcelain, musical instruments, antiques from other parts of the world and just as many sculptures and paintings. As you can see, the mansion was more than just a house; it was a kind of museum, open to all visitors. Unfortunately, when the collector died, all his precious objects were dispersed and the mansion was sold. It was then bought by a large industrial family and put up for sale again at the beginning of the 20th century.  It was subsequently transformed into a very popular restaurant known as the Brasserie Chandivert. As a result of the success of this establishment, the Chandivert family, in association with the Majestic cinema, had an Art Deco building built next door to house a brasserie and cinema. The complex still exists, but only the cinema remains. During World War II, the mansion burnt down and underwent several restorations, including one in 2017 as part of a project to redevelop public spaces in Caen’s old town centre. Since 1930, the entire mansion has been listed as a historic monument, and is now home to several luxury flats. Let’s move on to another mansion located next to the church.