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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Four de Cinéma house, located in Avignon at the corner of Rue des Teinturiers and Rue Guillaume Puy, is one of the oldest medieval houses still standing in the city. Built in 1493, it is distinguished by its late Gothic style, marked by a crenelated pediment, corner turrets, and a spiral staircase on the interior façade. Originally, a sculpted "IV de Cipher" decorated the facade between the windows of the first floor, now disappeared after a restoration. This enigmatic symbol, combined with protective beliefs against plague, also appears on various objects such as tapestries, seals or musical instruments.

The house retains remarkable architectural elements, such as a monumental fireplace and a wooden ceiling with imposing beams (90 cm high). It underwent changes in the 18th and 19th centuries, but its medieval aspect remains dominant. Joined historic monuments in 1927, it illustrates the Avignon heritage with its scauguettes, gargoyles, and its ground floor accessible by a platform spanning the Sorgue. Its history is documented in local archives, such as La Farandole (1913), which attests to its historical importance.

The symbol of the "Four de Cipher", present on the house, remains a mystery. Interpreted as a talisman or quaternary symbol linked to the cross, he also evokes the Sacred Heart in Christian iconography. René Guénon sees it as an alchemical representation, while its commercial use by artisans (drapiers, notaries) suggests a versatile meaning. Today, the marks on the façade are almost illegible, but their trace bears witness to a symbolic tradition rooted in the Provencal Middle Ages.

The house is located at 26 rue des Teinturiers, in the department of Vaucluse (region Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur). Its exact address and GPS location are confirmed by the Merimée and Monumentum bases. Although its facades have been protected since 1927, its access and current uses (visit, rental) are not specified in the available sources.

The architectural features of the house reflect its time: a large living room on the first floor, sill windows, and a screw staircase serving all levels. These elements, combined with its symbolic decor, make it a unique testimony of late Gothic art in Provence, mixing residential function and medieval heritage.

Finally, the House of the Four of Figures embodies the 15th century beliefs and artisanal practices. Its symbol, both protective and commercial, illustrates the daily life in Avignon, between economic growth (teinturers, traders) and collective fears, like the plague. Its inscription in historical monuments underscores its role in local heritage memory.

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