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Origin and history

The house of the Sénéchal d'Agen is a medieval building located on Rue Puits-du-Saumon, in the city centre of Agen, in Lot-et-Garonne. Dating from the 14th century, it owes its name to an oral tradition that associates it with a senechal, royal or seigneurial official, although no historical evidence confirms this attribution. Its architecture, marked by gelatin arches and columns, reflects the stylistic influences of the time.

The exact origin of the house remains uncertain: some hypotheses suggest an English or French senechal residence, while others suggest that it could have served as a synagogue, because of its proximity to the ancient Jewish street. In the seventeenth century it was still seen as a Jewish place of worship. The large room on the first floor was decorated with frescoes depicting Roman emperors, highlighting its prestigious character.

Acquired by the city of Agen in 1914, the house was classified as a historic monument a year earlier, on July 22, 1913, for its remarkable facade. Restored in 1972, it preserves notable architectural elements such as a prominent banner and partially preserved frescoes. Today, it belongs to the commune and remains a rare testimony of the urban history of Agen.

Historical sources, such as the works of Georges Tholin (1898), mention its heritage importance, but the archives lack to decide definitively on its original function. Its current state and location make it a point of interest for the study of medieval heritage in New Aquitaine.

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