Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The building located at 11 Rue du Merle in Cluny is a medieval house dated from the 12th century, representative of the urban buildings of that time. This adjoining building, raised on three levels, illustrates Burgundy civil architecture with a characteristic facade. The ground floor, dedicated to professional activities, opens onto a partially restored broken arched bay, while the floors, once illuminated by skeletons, were reserved for housing. These elements, partly walled, have been carefully restored, valuing the local medieval heritage.

The house is distinguished by its four columns of Romanesque archatures, protected as early as 1941 by a decree of inscription under the title of Historical Monuments. The whole building was registered in 2001, with the exception of these already classified columns. The monument was also awarded the Regional Heritage Award in 2008, highlighting the quality of its restoration and its historic importance in the urban fabric of Cluny, a city marked by its iconic abbey.

The configuration of this versatile house reflects the medieval social organization: a commercial or artisanal space on the ground floor, surmounted by housing. The skeletons, typical of Burgundy houses, allowed natural lighting of the floors, while limiting openings for reasons of safety and insulation. These architectural details bear witness to the technical adaptations and domestic uses in the 12th century, in a region that was then economically and religiously dynamic.

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