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Origin and history

The houses at number 2-4 of Avenue Henri-Ducrot in Bourges date from the 1st quarter of the 15th century. They are among the rare preserved examples of medieval civil architecture in the city. Their construction is part of the foundation of the Sainte-Chapelle de Bourges, built for Jean de Berry in the early 15th century. These houses, probably linked to the activity or management of the chapel, illustrate the know-how of the artisans of the period, mixing stone and wood.

The ground floor of these houses is built of stone masonry, forming a solid base. The first floor, on the other hand, is made of wood and rests in corbellation on a frame structure. This corbellation is supported by wooden consoles and muddled stone crows, a technique characteristic of medieval bourgeois architecture. Some openings have retained their original frame, with grooved mouldings in the stone and edges carved in the wooden panels.

The facades and roofs of these houses were protected by a registration order under the Historic Monuments on 10 September 1958. This classification reflects their heritage value, both for their architectural style and for their connection to the history of the Sainte-Chapelle and duke Jean de Berry. Their initial location was indicated as part of Avenue Henri-Ducrot, although the administrative address changed to street status.

Today, these houses represent a precious vestige of the medieval civil heritage of Bourges. Their state of preservation, though partial, allows us to study the construction techniques and materials used during this period. Their proximity to the now extinct Sainte-Chapelle reinforces their historical interest, offering an overview of the city's urban planning and architecture at the beginning of the 15th century.

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