Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The 12th century house, located near the church of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, is a typical example of civil Romanesque architecture. Its façade features three large arches in the middle of the pit, joined by common piedroits, while a frieze in gear teeth adorns the base of the first floor. These decorative elements recall those of the nearby abbey church, suggesting a stylistic unity between the religious and civil buildings of the time. Subsequent changes, such as the 17th century doorway and the addition of a fountain, reflect its adaptation to the changing needs of the inhabitants.

Originally, the first floor had three Romanesque geminous windows, now reconstituted, which leaned on a horizontal bandeau. The ground floor, meanwhile, is rhythmized by three large round doors surmounted by a cornice supported by saw teeth stones. A chapel, added in 1682 by the fraternity of the penitents of Saint-Guilhem, reveals the religious and social evolution of the building, which could serve both as a dwelling and a place of worship.

Classified as a Historical Monument in 1938 for its façade, this house illustrates the transition between Romanesque architecture and later adaptations. Its location, in the heart of the medieval village, and its architectural details make it a valuable testimony to the daily life and constructive practices of the 12th century in Languedoc. However, the accuracy of its location remains poor (level 5/10), which limits an in-depth geographical study.

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