Creation of the sign 1553 (≈ 1553)
Bas-relief representing Henry II and a palm game.
3e quart XVIe siècle
Main construction period
Main construction period 3e quart XVIe siècle (≈ 1662)
Dating assigned to the house.
18 novembre 1935
Historic Monument Protection
Historic Monument Protection 18 novembre 1935 (≈ 1935)
Enrolment of the sign by ministerial decree.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The facades and roofs of the house and the gallery, as well as the courtyard with the fence wall and the east side fence wall, as delimited in red on the plan annexed to the decree, located 2 place de la Fontaine and 2 rue de la Monnaie, appearing in the cadastre section AT, parcel 10: inscription by order of 4 June 2024
Key figures
Henri II - King of France
Represented on the 1553 sign.
Origin and history
The house located at 12 rue de la Treille in Villefranche-de-Rouergue is a building whose origins date back to the 13th and 17th centuries, with a period of major construction identified in the 3rd quarter of the 16th century. Its most notable element is a bas-relief sign built over the lintel of the front door, representing a palm game. This sculpted decor features the profile of King Henry II, surrounded by royal and sporting attributes: a snowshoe, a ball, and a three-flowered lily badge, symbol of the French monarchy. A phylacterus bears the date of 1553, providing a precise chronological reference for this work.
The signboard is framed by a stylized floral border in its semicircular part, while twelve balls adorn its straight part. This artistic detail suggests a desire to emphasize the prestige of the palm game, an activity popular with the Renaissance aristocracy. The building was partially protected under the Historic Monuments by an order of 18 November 1935, which specifically concerns this sign, demonstrating its exceptional heritage value.
The location of the house, in the historic centre of Villefranche-de-Rouergue in Occitanie, is part of a medieval and reborn urban fabric. The Rue de la Treille, mentioned in the Middle Ages, reflects the social and economic organization of the city, where sign houses often played a commercial or artisanal role. The sign of the palm game, by its royal iconography, could indicate a place frequented by a local elite or brand travellers, although the archives do not specify its exact use.
Available sources, including the Merimée and Monumentum database, confirm the exact address (12 rue de la Treille) and the Insee code of the municipality (12300), attached to the department of Aveyron. The accuracy of the location is estimated to be "passable" (note 5/10), which may be explained by approximate GPS coordinates or subsequent urban modifications. No information is provided on the current accessibility of the monument, its tourist or residential vocation.
