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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Salers Gendarmerie, known as the House of the President, is a 15th century building located on Rue du Beffroi, in the historic centre of Salers, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Originally, this house was built by Pierre Lizet, President of the Parliament of Paris, a figure marked by his opposition to Protestants and great lords. Its architecture reflects this troubled era, mixing residential functions and power symbols.

The Gothic façade is distinguished by a meneau window and a tympanum decorated with curved and countercurve motifs. Inside, a rectangular vaulted room is supported by ribs resting on lamp-ends. The intersections of the liernes, diagonals and thirdons are decorated with cartridges representing arms and shields, testimony of the influence of its sponsor. The building, transformed into a gendarmerie, retained this function until the 20th century.

Classified as historical monuments since 1925 for its façade, the House of the President illustrates Salers' medieval heritage and its role in the local judicial and police history. Its state of conservation and architectural details make it a notable example of the Gothic civil heritage in Auvergne. The property now belongs to the municipality of Salers, although its access to the public is not specified in the available sources.

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