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Origin and history

The house at the 25 Grand-Rue in Sarre-Union is an emblematic civil building of the early seventeenth century, typical of Alsatian architecture. Built in the first quarter of the seventeenth century, it is distinguished by its oriel (or triangular box) decorated with remarkable sculptures: a teenage head in a cartridge on one side, and a bird protecting its eggs on the other. These motifs, as well as an atlante supporting the structure, illustrate the craftsmanship of the period and the influence of late Renaissance styles in Alsace.

It bears the date of 1629, probably marking the completion or a major construction phase. The building underwent later renovations, but its most valuable element — the front of the street façade — was protected by an inscription as historical monuments on 21 April 1934. This official recognition underlines its heritage importance, both for its aesthetics and for its testimony on urban life in Alsace at the beginning of the seventeenth century.

Sarre-Union, then integrated into the Duchy of Lorraine before its gradual accession to the Kingdom of France, was a city marked by intense cultural and commercial exchanges. Half-timbered or corbelled houses, like this one, often served as housing for wealthy merchants or artisans. Their decoration reflected both a desire for social affirmation and an artistic sensitivity fuelled by European currents. Today, this house is a milestone in the built heritage of Bas-Rhin, where it is located.

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