Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The house at 7 rue d'Espagne in Bourg-en-Bresse, in the department of Ain, dates from the 15th century. It is remarkable for its inside spiral staircase, typical of late medieval architecture. This architectural element, inscribed under the title of the Historical Monuments by decree of 28 July 1947, bears witness to the ingenuity of the builders of the time in the optimization of space and the creation of structures both functional and aesthetic.

Bourg-en-Bresse, in the 15th century, was a booming city, integrated into the Duchy of Savoy and then into the Kingdom of France. The houses of this period often reflect the growing prosperity of the bourgeois and local merchants. Screwed stairs, like that of this house, were frequent in urban homes to gain space while ensuring efficient vertical circulation. These structures also illustrate the importance attached to defence, as their spiral shape could slow down potential intruders.

The inscription of the door of the stairway in 1947 underscores the heritage value of this specific element. Although the house itself is not fully protected, this official recognition preserves a material testimony of Bourg-en-Bresse's architectural history. Available data from sources such as Wikipedia and Monumentum confirm its exact address and status, but do not provide information on its current use or accessibility to the public.

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