Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The log house located on Rue Saint-Cerneuf in Billom is an emblematic 15th century building representing the medieval civil architecture of the region. Its ground floor has a continuous wooden beam supporting the corbellation of the first floor, where heads ground with beams strengthen the structure. This level is built in hourdis (mix of bricks and stones) and in wooden panels arranged in cross diagonal discharges, with a wooden window framed by two crosses of Saint-André formed by the wooden panels.

The second floor, also in corbellation, rests on chevrons whose heads are hidden by a sandblast. The wooden panels are arranged in scarves between the poles and the sandstone, illustrating sophisticated construction techniques for the time. The northern façade and the corresponding roof were protected by a registration order under the Historic Monuments on 4 January 1963, highlighting their heritage value.

This type of house, typical of medieval cities, reflects the urban organization and artisanal know-how of the 15th century in Auvergne. Corbelling allowed for the expansion of the living space while preserving the right-of-way to the ground, a common practice in densely populated city centres. The preservation of these architectural elements is a valuable testimony to the lifestyles and construction techniques of the time.

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