A new art gallery has opened its doors in the historic center of Domfront, a medieval town in the Orne department of Normandy, France. The gallery, managed by 65-year-old American Michael Hertrich, began operations in August 2025 in a former clothing store that had permanently closed on October 31, 2024.

Michael Hertrich brings extensive experience as a gallery owner, interior decorator, and painter from his career in the United States. In 2023, he and his husband Paul purchased a house on Place Saint-Julien in Domfront and permanently relocated there in November 2024. "We love France, Paris, Mont-Saint-Michel, Honfleur, Cherbourg... But we truly fell in love with Domfront and the medieval city," Hertrich explained.

After completing renovation work on the space located at 7 Place Albert-Christophle, Hertrich opened Galerie Hertrich with a clear mission in mind. "I want to participate in the life of the city," he stated. The gallery offers custom wooden frame services and showcases paintings by both local and international artists working in modern and traditional styles.

The gallery currently features works by Joseph Cousin, an artist from Lassay-les-Châteaux. Hertrich has announced his first major exhibition scheduled for November and December 2025, which will display works by Pierre Moussaoui, a painter from Roubia in the Aude department who is originally from Normandy. This will be followed by a spring exhibition featuring American artist Nellie Lou Stagle.

As an artist himself, Hertrich plans to exhibit his own works, which blend photography and painting techniques. He has extended an invitation to painters interested in exhibiting at the gallery to contact him directly. Galerie Hertrich operates Wednesday through Saturday from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM and can be reached at 06.85.72.12.96 or southsidemencomcast.net.