Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The two wooden houses of Montrichard Val de Cher, dated from the 15th century but with stylistic elements from the early 16th century, are a rare example of medieval civil architecture preserved. Their structure rests on solid wooden poles, decorated with ground pilasters on the first floor, while the upper floors have united poles. The ties, or breasts, are connected by crucifixes forming a characteristic geometric network. The brick fillings, arranged in various patterns (horizontal rows, interlaces in fish edge), add a decorative richness to the facade. The sculpted lamp asses and the mouldings of the breasts testify to a refined craftsmanship, mixing functionality and aesthetics.

Inside, two stone chimneys remain, including that on the first floor combines elements from the 15th century (bases of columns) and the early 16th century (chapitels, mouldings of the coat, shield and carved roses). These details suggest a renovation or embellishment of the building at the hinge of the two centuries. The old storefronts, although modified, recall the original commercial vocation of these houses, probably linked to local economic activity around National Street. Their classification as Historic Monument in 1912 highlights their outstanding heritage value.

The building is also distinguished by its location below the church of Sainte-Croix, indicating an integration into the medieval urban fabric of Montrichard. The construction techniques (woodpans, brickwork) reflect the materials available in Val de Cher at that time, where abundant wood was often associated with brick for fillings. The absence of major modifications since the 16th century, apart from the carpentry of the windows, makes it possible to study faithfully the construction methods and decorative styles of the period.

The 1912 classification covers all of the two houses (cadastre AT 300), highlighting their architectural consistency and their importance as testimony to the bourgeois or artisanal habitat of the Renaissance. Their state of conservation, despite minor transformations, offers a valuable overview of everyday life and craft techniques in the Centre-Val de Loire in the 15th and 16th centuries.

External links