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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The house in Riom, dating from the 17th century, is best known for its bas-relief, a remarkable element in Volvic lava. This bas-relief, integrated into a garden adjacent to the house, is distinguished by its imposing size (more than a meter in height) and its composition: an shield surmounted by a crown of marquis, supported by two unicorns, and surrounded by the cordon of the order of Saint-Michel. The ensemble is framed by a triangular pediment, typical of heraldic art of the time.

The monument was included in the inventory of Historic Monuments by decree of 6 April 1929, specifically for its bas-relief. It is located in a garden south of the house, near the former convent of the Capuchins. The exact address, although subject to geographical impreciseness (noted 5/10 for location), is indicated as being on the Volvic road or near Avenue Champ-d'Aujardias. This bas-relief illustrates the importance of the symbols of power and nobility in the civil architecture of the region in the seventeenth century.

The house itself, although less documented than its bas-relief, is part of the urban context of Riom, a city marked by its medieval and reborn past. The choice of Volvic lava, a local volcanic material, reflects the resources and craftsmanship of the Auvergne. The order of Saint-Michel, evoked by the cordon surrounding the shield, recalls the links between the local nobility and the royal distinctions under the Ancien Régime.

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