Hôtel d'Escoville, Caen: Detail, carved capital

A hôtel particulier in the old town center of Caen, built in 1530 and rebuilt after World War II. Born in 1475 , Nicolas Valois Escoville was the son of John Valois, Lord of Escoville and Mesnil-Guillaume, one of the richest merchants in Caen, knighted in 1522. The hôtel has four wings surrounding a courtyard; the decoration is Italianate. The right wing, perhaps built by Hector Sohier, was completed in 1535. A descendant, Jacques Moisant de Brieux, hosted an intellectual salon in the hôtel which became a formal Academy, 1652-1685. In 1862, the entire building is classified a historical monument and a first restoration takes place. It was badly damaged in WWII and is partially restored.