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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The House of the Dean of Montluçon, located on Rue du Doyenné in Montluçon (Allier, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), is an ancient home of notables from the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. It is distinguished by a high window carved in limestone dating back to the second half of the 13th century, decorated with trilobed arches and dancing characters once holding musical instruments. This facade overlooks the Rue du Deanné, while a corbelled turret, restored in 1930, marks the corner of the house.

From the 16th century, the house was assigned to the residence of the dean of the collegiate chapter Saint-Nicolas, founded in 1250, hence its present name. The turret, whose carved base dates back to the 15th century, features a frieze of vine pamps and two modillons representing a dog and his master. These elements, along with vestiges of 13th and 14th century mouldings on the west facade, illustrate the architectural evolution of the building, linked to local religious history.

Partially classified as historical monuments since 1926 (for its 13th century window), the house embodies the medieval heritage of Montluçon. Its location, close to the former chapter church and Notre Dame Square, underlines its importance in the city's urban and religious fabric. Restorations, such as the 1930 one, preserved his sculptural details, including dancing characters and plant motifs.

Historical sources mention its occupation by canons between the 16th and 18th centuries, confirming its role in local ecclesiastical life. The archives (terriers and notarial documents) attest to its management by the chapter, while revealing architectural changes, such as the partial disappearance of the original window, documented by lithographs since the 19th century.

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