Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The former noble house of the Vaquey, known as Domaine du Rivalet, is a building built in 1628, although records of a noble house on this site date back to the 15th century. This rectangular building, located in Salleboeuf (Gironde), has a south facade which seems to be plated against an older structure, suggesting origins prior to its reconstruction in the seventeenth century. The east facade has a triangular frontal door and a large cross-window, characteristic of the architecture of the era.

Originally, the interior consisted of two rooms on the ground floor and two upstairs, an organization typical of the noble houses of this period. In the 19th century, a low building was built on the west side, surrounded by large cellars, reflecting an adaptation to local wine or agricultural needs. The estate was purchased in 1896 by Gustave Eiffel, who installed a meteorological observatory there, adding a scientific dimension to his history.

Ranked a Historic Monument since 1993, the Domaine du Rivalet is protected for its facades and roofs (excluding the northern outbuilding). Its present state thus combines traces of its medieval past, 17th century transformations and subsequent additions, testifying to its evolution throughout the epochs. The location of the site, noted as fair (5/10), remains approximate, centered around 59 rue du Vaquey in Salleboeuf.

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