Manoirs

Manoirs are large rural residences that historically formed the principal dwelling on a manor, the basic unit of landholding in medieval and early modern Europe. The term, from Old French manoir, denotes the lord's house within an estate that also included cultivated lands, villages, and rights over peasant labor. In feudal society, the manor operated as an economic and administrative unit, with the manor house serving as the seat of the lord and the center of local justice and management.

Architectural forms of manoirs vary by region and period. In northern France and adjoining areas, many manoirs were built from stone or brick and may incorporate defensive features or a fortified keep, especially in border regions. In parts of France and other parts of Europe, timber framing, stone, or brick farm wings surround a courtyard or garden. Interiors often include a principal chamber or great hall, residential apartments, and service areas.

Over time, manoirs shifted from feudal residences to country houses for noble families and landowners. Renaissance and Baroque renovations, as well as later 18th- and 19th-century remodellings, gave many manoirs more comfortable layouts and decorative façades while preserving historic character. In the modern era, surviving examples are often preserved as heritage properties, used as museums, private residences, or hotels.