Ango Manor (Manoir d'Ango)

The Manoir d'Ango is one of Normandy's finest examples of Italian Renaissance architecture, built between 1530-1544 by the wealthy shipowner Jehan Ango, nicknamed "The Magnificent." Ango was a powerful maritime advisor to King François I and owned over 30 ships at the height of his influence. The manor features a striking contrast between its fortress-like exterior and the elegant Renaissance courtyard within, showcasing a beautiful loggia with decorative medallions. The highlight is the famous dovecote, built in 1532 as the largest in France, standing 11 meters high with a distinctive Byzantine-style onion dome and 1,600 nesting boxes capable of housing 3,200 pigeons. Visitors can explore the courtyard, Renaissance loggia, main rooms including the kitchen with its permanent exhibition about Ango's extraordinary life, and the decorative gardens. The manor was classified as a Historic Monument in 1862 alongside Notre Dame and Versailles. Note that the manor is seasonal, open daily from May to September, and weekends only in spring and autumn. Guided tours are available on selected days.