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Origin and history

The house at 1 Rue de la Grand'Côte in Albi is a composite building, mixing medieval remains with 17th-century construction. It rises near the Tarn, in a neighbourhood formerly under the influence of the Saint Salvi chapter. The north elevation, overlooking the Choiseul wharf, preserves traces of a medieval structure: a double-rolled arcade murmured on the ground floor, and fragments of slightly groined bays crossed on the first floor. These elements, partially destroyed by subsequent developments, reflect an old occupation of the site. The vaulted brick cellar, typical of medieval buildings, reinforces this hypothesis.

The western elevation on Grand'Côte Street has a more recent façade, characteristic of the seventeenth century. A monumental door, flanked by pilasters and surmounted by a carved pediment, dominates the stone ground floor. The brick floors are pierced with rectangular stone-crossed bays. This facade, which has remained unchanged since its construction, contrasts with the north side, which was redesigned during the widening of Rue de la Dongue to extend the Choiseul wharf. These transformations probably erased much of the medieval structures, leaving only fragmentary traces.

In the 14th century, the neighborhood belonged to the Saint-Salvi chapter, and land agreements with the city or chapter could facilitate the initial construction. The book of Reconnaissances of 1755 mentions the house as the property of Sieur Delecouls, then described as a dwelling near the Tarn Gate, facing the city wall. The section states of 1791 attributed to Étienne Lacombe, while the cadastre of 1810 revealed a much larger right of way, extending over several parcels now extinct. In 1836 it belonged to Messrs Rias and Boyer.

The interiors preserve murals from the late 16th century, discovered in the semi-story under the roof, adding an artistic dimension to this heritage. The medieval building, now integrated into the 17th century residence, thus illustrates architectural superimpositions and urban adaptations over centuries. Its inscription in the Historical Monuments in 1971 (façades and roofs) underlines its heritage importance, despite the transformations undergone.

The location of the house, at the corner of the Choiseul wharf and the Grand'Côte street, makes it a witness to the urban evolutions of Albi. The neighborhood, once girded with fortifications, has seen its appearance modified by the layout of the docks and the disappearance of medieval alleyways, such as the Rue de la Biscontie. These changes, coupled with partial reconstructions, explain the current structure of the building, where medieval heritage and classicism of the Great Century combine.

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