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Origin and history

The Hotel Jacques de Moulins, also known as the Rochefort Hotel, is a private hotel located on 2 rue des Juques, in the historical district of the Puits-Châtel in Blois. Built in the second half of the 15th century, it belonged to Jacques de Moulins, seigneur of Rochefort and master of the House at the Deniers of the Duke Louis II of Orléans, future Louis XII. The latter, as a sign of loyalty, engraved the ducal coat of arms on the main door, according to the custom of the time.

The monument is distinguished by a bas-relief adorning its entrance door, representing the coat of arms of the Moulins de Rochefort family, surmounted by a crown of prince of royal blood and surrounded by the necklace of the order of Saint-Michel. These coats are supported by a porcupine and a wolf, emblems of Louis XII. Inside, the building preserves ground flooring and a vaulted cellar housing a well, remains of its medieval architecture.

Partially listed as historical monuments since August 30, 1945, the Hotel Jacques de Moulins remains a private property. The protection mainly concerns the bas-relief of the door, stressing its heritage importance. In spite of the transformations in the 18th and 19th centuries (reconstruction of house bodies and restoration of facades), the building still bears witness to its medieval past, notably by walled windows with prismatic molding visible on the eastern facade.

The hotel illustrates the influence of the great lords and ducal officers during the reign of Louis XII, when Blois was a major political centre. The presence of heraldic elements and a royal crown on a private home reflects the close links between the local nobility and the Valois-Orléans court. Today, it embodies the preservation of private architectural heritage in the urban fabric of Blois.

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