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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Pillaud House, built in the 16th century, stands at the corner of the Grosse-Horloge and Temple streets, in the historic centre of La Rochelle. This stone building, typical of Renaissance civil architecture, is distinguished by its open façade and its interior staircase with iron-plated ramp, partially preserved despite subsequent transformations. Its lateral elevation, in coated stone, contrasts with the rigor of the main facade, reflecting the constructive techniques of the era.

Ranked a historic monument by decree of 20 October 1923, the Pillaud House has undergone several modifications over the centuries. In the 18th century, its interior was restructured and the staircase rebuilt, while the corner turret disappeared around 1850. A slight rise occurred before 1890, followed by major changes in the 20th century, including the connection to a nearby house, the 48 Quai Duperré. Despite these transformations, original elements, such as the date engraved "1554", attest to his seniority.

The building illustrates the architectural and urban evolution of La Rochelle, a major port of the Atlantic facade during the Renaissance. Its classification today protects its facades on the street and its staircase, witness to a civil heritage often overshadowed by the religious or military monuments of the city. The Pillaud House thus embodies the bourgeois life of the rock of the 16th and 18th centuries, between maritime trade and urban transformations.

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