Maison Henri IV, Saint-Valery-en-Caux

The Maison Henri IV is a magnificent Renaissance half-timbered house built in 1540 by wealthy shipowner Guillaume Ladire, now serving as Saint-Valery-en-Caux's local history museum. The building is classified as a Historic Monument, with its intricately sculpted facade depicting exotic scenes inspired by Norman voyages to Brazil - including a man praying to the sun and a woodcutter felling the famous Pau Brasil tree. The house earned its name from the tradition that King Henri IV stayed here during his 1593 visit to the town, though Henri II had also been received at this location in 1550 when he granted the town the privilege of 'franc sale' (salt tax exemption).