Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The 16th century house in Blois is a typical example of Renaissance civil architecture. It is distinguished by its interior courtyard adorned with a wooden staircase with balconies and corbellations, as well as four carved medallions representing Mars, Venus, Apollo and Bacchus. The facades, in apparent wooden panels, illustrate a classic composition for the period, with composite pilasters and a wooden entablement. A 16th century well, covered with a dome, completes this coherent architectural ensemble.

In the mid-16th century, the initial construction already included decorative and structural elements characteristic of the Renaissance, such as medallions and pilasters. In the 17th century, the staircase was redesigned, probably to replace a screw staircase, with the addition of two floors of wooden galleries with balusters. Finally, in the 20th century, the façade on the street underwent modifications that partially distorted its original appearance. Despite these changes, the facades on the courtyard, the staircase and the medallions were protected by a decree of inscription in 1931.

The location of this house, at 41bis rue du Commerce in Blois, is attested by the Mérimée and Monumentum bases. Its state of preservation and geographical accuracy are considered satisfactory a priori (note 6/10), although the exact address may vary slightly depending on the sources. The protected elements specifically include courtyard facades, wooden staircases and Renaissance medallions, highlighting their heritage value.

This house bears witness to architectural changes between Renaissance and classical times, with later additions reflecting the functional needs of the 17th and 20th centuries. Its decor, combining mythology and geometric motifs, evokes the influence of Italian models in the Loire Valley, a region marked by the presence of the kings of France and a cultivated aristocracy.

External links