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Origin and history

The Hotel de Guise, located at 18 rue Chemonton in Blois, is a mansion built in the 16th century, at the hinge of Gothic and Renaissance styles. Commanded by a noble family, probably linked to the powerful house of Guise, it embodies the architectural refinement of the era, blending late mouldings and Renaissance elements like carved medallions. The 16th century marked a period of transition in Blois between the Middle Ages and modernity, reflected in this building.

The city, the favourite residence of the kings of France, attracts the aristocracy that builds sumptuous houses there. The hotel illustrates this dynamic, with a facade on garden decorated with bays in the middle of the hanger and decorative frieze, typical of the first Renaissance. Over the centuries, the building has undergone major changes.

In the 18th century, stables and a terrace were added, exploiting the remains of medieval fortifications still visible. These developments demonstrate the hotel's adaptation to the changing needs of its owners, while preserving its original structure. The Hotel de Guise is going through the upheavals of the French Revolution without major damage, unlike other Basel monuments.

His name, associated with the house of Guise, recalls the political and religious struggles of the sixteenth century, although his direct link with this family remains hypothetical. It symbolizes the resilience of heritage to history. In the 19th century, the building officially took the name of "Hotel de Guise", strengthening its romantic aura.

In the 20th century, it was listed as a historical monument (1934) to protect its remarkable elements, despite internal renovations (roofs, distributions). Today divided into 36 apartments, it combines heritage preservation and contemporary use. State protection aims to safeguard its unique architectural details, such as carved caps or medallions.

These elements, combined with its turbulent history, make it a privileged witness to Blois' urban and social evolution from the Middle Ages to the present.

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