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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The House of the Annunciation, located in Rodez, is an emblematic monument of the 16th century, the result of the gathering of three medieval houses in wood. Its architecture is distinguished by a massive structure of seven levels (subsoil, ground floor, three floors and two attic), a rarity for an urban residence. The facades, organized in "architectural grids" with pilasters and cornices, reflect the influence of the Renaissance, while the corner tower, with a flat roof, breaks with the traditional models by its sobriety.

The construction was attributed to François Dardenne, a relative of the builder Jean-Imbert Dardenne, who became his owner in 1551 before leaving it to his nephew Johan Dardenne in 1555. The ambitious project is being carried out in less than four years. The angle tower, with its triangular frontons and a bas-relief of the Annunciation inspired by Italian models, could date from a second phase under Johan Dardenne. The building combines commercial (ground floor) and residential (floor) functions, with vaulted cellars and bipartite interior distribution.

Classified as a Historical Monument in 1976, the house illustrates 16th century Rouergat urbanism, combining architectural innovation (corbellings, discreet skylights) and medieval heritage (pan of wood, tuff). Its exceptional parkloft, at the corner of Place du Bourg, makes it a major witness to Rodez's civil heritage. The sculptures, like putti or fantasy characters, contrast with the classicism of the relief of the Annunciation, highlighting a stylistic transition.

In the 19th century, the house belonged to magistrate Jean-André Boisse, nicknamed "Maison Boisse". The Napoleonic cadastre confirms its current structure, although subsequent changes (perceived from Rue Eugène Viala) have altered its immediate environment. The facades on the street, protected, retain their Renaissance decor, while the interior courtyard, redesigned, loses legibility.

The building thus combines family history (the Dardennes), architectural ambition (seven levels, ostentatious tower) and urban adaptation (rentation of the attic, commercial use). Its present state, despite transformations, preserves key elements such as the carved chimney on the first floor, the vaults of the cellars or the sills of the windows, testimonies of an age of rouergat.

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