Construction of house XVe siècle (≈ 1550)
Flamboyant Gothic period, door and bays.
28 décembre 1928
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 28 décembre 1928 (≈ 1928)
Door protection and bays.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The 15th century stairway door and the two bays above it: inscription by order of 28 December 1928
Key figures
Information non disponible - No name cited
Insufficient sources on owners.
Origin and history
The Besson House is an emblematic civil monument of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, dating from the 15th century. It illustrates late Gothic architecture with its doorway in turret, decorated with a three-throat mulched frame, and surmounted by two twin windows. These elements, typical of the flamboyant style, are framed by a gable decorated with a crucifixed flower and pinnacle spindles, reflecting the artisanal know-how of the period.
Classified as a Historical Monument by order of 28 December 1928, only the stairway door and the upper bays are protected. The official address, 23 rue de la République, corresponds to a medieval urban area of Villefranche-de-Rouergue, bastide founded in the 13th century. The GPS location, considered "passable" (note 5/10), suggests an approximation in the available coordinates.
The absence of detailed sources on the occupants or the original function of the house limits the understanding of its social role. However, its architectural style and protection testify to its heritage importance in the Rouergue. The preserved elements (gate, bays) could indicate an easy residence, integrated into the commercial or aristocratic fabric of the city at the end of the Middle Ages.