Hello there
Normally, as in a normal house not a chateau or anything but a regular Norman house in the 1940s, the windows open into the room but not further than the thickness of the walls, the latter being usually quite thick (c.70cm). They (windows) sit back a little from the edge of the outer wall.
The shutters vary but more commonly hinge outside and when closed fit flush within the opening of the window. This allows the windows to be open but the shutters closed and sitting flush within the wall prevents rain getting in (Normandy is green…)
There are some pictures here, an old blog that needs revisiting…
Hope this makes sense. I can take some more pictures if you want (it’s dark now).
Cheers
Sean