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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The house of the baili is a civilian residence located in Aurec-sur-Loire, in the department of Haute-Loire, in the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Built in the 17th century, it occupies the site of the old fortifications of the village, marking the transition between a medieval defensive vocation and a residential use in modern times. Its walnut woodwork, dated from the seventeenth century, as well as its 16th century press installed in the cellar, illustrate the continuity of local craft techniques throughout the eras.

Inside, the living room houses painted canvases of naive style made in the 19th century, adding a late artistic dimension to the building. These decorative elements reflect the evolution of cultural tastes and practices in a rural area, where bourgeois or administrative houses, such as the bailli, often served as a place of social representation. The listing of the house as historic monuments by order of 21 June 1994 underlines its heritage value, both for its architecture and for its preserved furniture.

The building also embodies the urban history of Aurec-sur-Loire, where medieval fortifications have gradually given way to civilian constructions. The 16th century press, still in place in the cellar, recalls the importance of wine or agricultural activities in the local economy, while the woodwork and paintings bear witness to the social status of its occupants, probably linked to local administration or justice (hence the name "baili").

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