Maison des Quatrans
Caen's oldest house, a rare medieval timber-framed gem that survived WWII bombings, offering a glimpse into the city's rich past.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Best light for photos
Maison des Quatrans
Best Time
Best light for photos
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Caen's oldest house, a rare medieval timber-framed gem that survived WWII bombings, offering a glimpse into the city's rich past.
"A beautiful old half-timbered house, emblematic of the city of Caen."
📸 Admire from the Street
The Maison des Quatrans is best viewed from the exterior. Take photos of its unique red timber framing.
📍 Location, Location!
Find this gem on Rue Cattehoule, a historically significant street in Caen's old city center.
Quick Facts
Rating
4.5 · 47 reviews
Type
Historical Place
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Medieval Timber Framing
Rue Cattehoule
Admire the striking red timber framing, a hallmark of 15th-century civil architecture. A true survivor of Caen's history.
Architectural Resilience
Exterior
Witness a rare surviving example of medieval civil architecture in Caen, remarkably preserved after WWII bombings.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
A Glimpse into Medieval Caen
Exterior Views Only
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Historic district, Caen, France
This is a lovely place to go and enjoy a meal, highly recommend it
📸 Admire from the Street
The Maison des Quatrans is best viewed from the exterior. Take photos of its unique red timber framing.
📍 Location, Location!
Find this gem on Rue Cattehoule, a historically significant street in Caen's old city center.
Where to base in Normandy?
Hi! We’re driving to Normandy and would like to have one home base for the trip, approximately a week. We will have a car so we can drive, we want to see the famous places like Mont Michel, Honfleur, Bayeux etc. Would like to stay in a beautiful place that’s a good location for…
Visiting Normandie for 7 days, any local tips and forgotten places to visit?
Hi /r/France! We're 4 people driving from Denmark to France on saturday, who's rented a house near Roncey in the middle of Normandy for a week! We have nothing planned yet, so maybe you could help pointing out the things the normal tourist sites doesnt. We already got…
🕰️ A Piece of History
Appreciate its status as Caen's oldest house and a survivor of medieval architecture.
Salut les normands, c’est comment de vivre à Caen ?
Actuellement au Québec je rentre bientôt en France et dans un premier temps je vais poser mes valises à Paris. J’ai vécu 8 ans dans cette ville que j’ai autant adoré que détesté mais je crains de ne plus être vraiment adapté à son rythme disons. Par contre son offre culturelle…
Tips
from all over the internet
📸 Admire from the Street
The Maison des Quatrans is best viewed from the exterior. Take photos of its unique red timber framing.
📍 Location, Location!
Find this gem on Rue Cattehoule, a historically significant street in Caen's old city center.
🕰️ A Piece of History
Appreciate its status as Caen's oldest house and a survivor of medieval architecture.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors appreciate the Maison des Quatrans as a beautiful and historically significant example of medieval architecture in Caen. Its unique red timber framing and status as the city's oldest house are frequently highlighted. However, many note that it is only viewable from the exterior, as it is not open for interior visits.
"Nice to see"
rhyanne jones
"Awesome house"
Jean luc Passi
"The Maison des Quatrans is the oldest house in the city and was built by a wealthy tanner. It is one of the few surviving buildings of medieval civil architecture in Caen. With its red timber framing, it was declared a historic monument in 1953.
During the 1944 bombing raids, the house suffered severe damage to its roof and façade."
Javier G.
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The Maison des Quatrans is located on Rue Cattehoule in the old city center of Caen. It's easily accessible on foot if you're exploring the historic areas of the city. Public transport options in Caen can also bring you close to the city center.
Parking in the historic center of Caen can be challenging. It's recommended to use public parking garages located a short walk away from Rue Cattehoule.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, the Maison des Quatrans is not open for interior visits. It currently houses various associations. You can admire its historic facade from the street.
As the house is only viewable from the exterior, there is no entrance fee. It's a free historical landmark to appreciate.
Since you can only view the exterior, there are no specific visiting hours. You can see the house at any time of day.
📸 📸 Photography
The best time for photography is during daylight hours when the natural light best highlights the distinctive red timber framing. Early morning or late afternoon can offer softer light.
Try capturing the full facade from across the street to get the best sense of its scale and architectural style. Details of the timber framing are also very photogenic.
🎫 🏛️ History & Architecture
The Maison des Quatrans is significant as the oldest house in Caen, built in the 1460s. It's a rare surviving example of medieval civil architecture and a testament to the city's resilience, having survived WWII bombings.
It's a prime example of medieval civil architecture, characterized by its prominent red timber framing. The facade facing the street was built this way for aesthetic reasons.
Yes, the house suffered severe damage to its roof and facade during the 1944 bombing raids, but it was a survivor and has since been preserved.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit