Musée du Vieux Manoir d'Orbec
Musée de France in a half-timbered house from 1568 in Orbec, with archaeology, natural history, folk traditions and fine arts.
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About the museum
The Musée du Vieux Manoir is located in Orbec in the Pays d'Auge, in a house from 1568 with carved half-timbered façades in the Renaissance style. This exceptional architecture is one of the best-known images of Normandy. The museum is now run by the museum network of the Lisieux Normandie urban community and bears the designation “Musée de France”.
The permanent collections are spread over four floors. They combine archaeology, natural history, folk traditions and fine arts, and illustrate the history and way of life of the region.
Each season, the museum is refreshed with temporary exhibitions, new displays of the collections or creations. In 2026, a display devoted to the inspiration of half-timbering and to notable figures from Orbec is on show, with two new rooms dedicated to the artists born in Orbec, Lottin de Laval and Raymond Bigot. The museum is closed outside the season, which runs from early May to late September.
Highlights
- House from 1568 with carved half-timbering in the Renaissance style
- Collections spread over four floors
- Archaeology, natural history, folk traditions and fine arts
- New rooms dedicated to Lottin de Laval and Raymond Bigot
- Free admission
Permanent exhibition
- Collections permanentes du Vieux Manoir – Four floors devoted to archaeology, natural history, folk traditions and fine arts.
- Operated by
- Communauté d'agglomération Lisieux Normandie (pôle muséal)
- Visitors per year
- approx. 978
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Adults | free |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | free |
| Guided tour “Orbec, l'histoire à la carte” (adult) | €7Departs from in front of the museum, by reservation; dates in summer 2026. |
| Guided tour “Orbec, l'histoire à la carte” (child) | €3 |
Admission to the museum is free. Accepted means of payment: checks and cash.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Family tours & workshops
The museum offers workshops for children and, in 2026, a costumed animation for children aged 7 to 12 accompanied by an adult, by reservation.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided walks of the town, “Orbec, l'histoire à la carte”, depart from in front of the museum in summer, by reservation. The museum network also offers workshops (labomusée), for example a workshop on half-timbering. |
