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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The House of Emigrants, located in Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens, is a 17th century monument whose facade and doors reflect a sober classical architecture. On the noble floor, a large living room with a 17th century gypsum fireplace overlooks the street, illustrating the refinement of the era. This building is located in a medieval village built around a feudal castrum, itself erected on a rocky cone.

In the 14th century, a fortified enclosure, still partially visible today, protects the agglomeration. The Châtelaines of Saint-Pons allowed certain vassals to build inside the ramparts, including the family of Astanières, owner of the premises since the 1500s. In 1580, Pierre d'Astanières became vigoer of the village, a charge transmitted to his family until the Revolution. During Terror, the d'Astanières, having emigrated to the Kingdom of Naples, gave their name to the house, confiscated and sold as national property.

The monument, divided between several owners in the 19th century, fell into ruins in the middle of the 20th century. It was re-established in the 1960s and restored in 2008 by a new buyer. Partially classified in 2015, the house retains protected elements such as the courtyard, the terrace and the garden, witnesses to its turbulent history.

The village of Saint-Pons-de-Mauchiens, of medieval origin, organizes around the feudal castrum, where the castral chapel becomes parish after the 10th century. The remaining ramparts and gates recall this defensive organization, while the House of Emigrants embodies the social and political transformations of the Revolution to the present day.

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