Home to one of the great stud farms of France, the Haras at St.-Lô is a complete reconstruction. Using bits and pieces, as you can see here, it rose again after World War II.
During the tour, the guide made it clear that this was the "modest" home of the director of the Haras at St.-Lô. Originally established by Napoleon to promote the Normandy horses, it was completely demolished in World War II along with virtually all of St.-Lô. The fighting in and around this key city was severe, with days of hand-to-hand combat.