Passage of Captain Merle 1580 (≈ 1580)
Local tradition linked to the poterne.
XVIIIe siècle
Construction of house
Construction of house XVIIIe siècle (≈ 1850)
Private hotel then printing.
17 avril 1950
Inventory
Inventory 17 avril 1950 (≈ 1950)
Protection of the wrought iron staircase.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Forged iron ramp staircase: inscription by decree of 17 April 1950
Key figures
Capitaine Merle - Military figure
Associated with the poterne in 1580.
Origin and history
The house in Mende, dating from the 18th century, is a former mansion that later served as a printing house. The building is distinguished by architectural elements inherited from its past, including remains of fortifications visible in its garden. Among these traces, a poterne named " Gabion de Champnou" is mentioned, associated by local tradition with the passage of Captain Merle in 1580. These elements suggest an older origin than its main construction, linked to earlier defensive structures.
The interior of the house houses a remarkable staircase, ramp-on-rail type, entirely made of stone. Its wrought iron ramp, supported by a stone silt, rests on doric-style pillars. The climbers of the staircase are arched in edges, testifying to a neat craftsmanship. This staircase, the only protected element of the monument, was included in the inventory of Historical Monuments by order of 17 April 1950.
The location of the house, at 5 rue Basse in Mende, places the building in a historic urban context. The city, capital of the Lozère, preserves traces of its medieval and religious past, with monuments such as Notre-Dame-et-Saint-Privat Cathedral. The house, by its vestiges and successive use (aristocratic housing and then artisanal activity), illustrates the evolution of urban functions between the 18th century and the modern era.
The accuracy of the current location is considered fair (note 5/10), suggesting uncertainties about the accuracy of the available coordinates. Visual sources, such as Creative Commons licensed photographs, complement textual data from the Merimée and Monumentum databases. No information is provided on the current accessibility of the site (visits, accommodation or rental).
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