Construction of house 1528 (≈ 1528)
Edited by Jehan de L'Espine, doctor of Marguerite de Navarre.
25 janvier 1913
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 25 janvier 1913 (≈ 1913)
Protection of the house, except the courtyard buildings.
8 février 1934
Order confirming classification
Order confirming classification 8 février 1934 (≈ 1934)
Legal validation of partial protection.
7 mars 1938
Registration of the façade
Registration of the façade 7 mars 1938 (≈ 1938)
Protection of the adjacent wood panel facade.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Corner column known as Red Pillar: by order of 29 September 1928 - House, including the vestiges of the gable of the disappeared house, as well as the floors of the courtyard (Box CR 169): inscription by order of 12 October 1994
Key figures
Jehan de L'Espine - Physician and manufacturer
Made the house build in 1528.
Marguerite de Navarre - Queen and Protector
His doctor, Jehan de L'Espine, commissioned the house.
Origin and history
The House of Adam and Eve is an emblematic monument located at 69 Grande-Rue in Le Mans, in the Sarthe department. Built in 1528 by Jehan de L'Espine, doctor of Queen Marguerite of Navarre, it embodies Renaissance architecture. His name comes from a bas-relief adorning his facade, although the characters depicted are probably Ariane and Bacchus, surrounded by signs of the zodiac. This artistic detail illustrates the influence of mythological and astrological themes during this period.
The house was classified as historic monuments as early as 1913 for most of its structure, with the exception of buildings located at the bottom of the courtyard. A decree of 1934 confirmed this protection, while an additional inscription in 1938 concerned the adjacent wood panel facade. These measures highlight the heritage value of the building, both for its history and for its unique architectural features.
The monument is now owned by the municipality of Le Mans. Its state of conservation and its openness to the public are not specified in the available sources, but its status as a historical monument makes it a place of major interest for the study of the Renaissance in France. The house of Adam and Eve is part of a larger set of protected monuments of the city, reflecting the rich architectural and cultural heritage of Le Mans.
Available sources, including Wikipedia and Monumentum, also mention references to architectural databases such as Mérimée, as well as administrative information such as the Insee code of the municipality (72181) and its membership in the Pays de la Loire region. These contextual elements reinforce the historical and geographical significance of this monument.
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