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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Billex House is a Renaissance historic monument located at 6 Place du Marché-aux-Choux in Séletat, in the Lower Rhine. Built in the 16th century, it was thoroughly redesigned in 1615 by Hans Billex, alderman and master of the butchers' corporation. Its architecture combines elements typical of the Renaissance, such as a facade oriel, a canned pilaster door frame, and ground chambranle windows. An inscription on the door lintel commemorates the work of 1615.

The history of the house is marked by a tragic event: in 1630, Rosine Blumberger, wife of Hans Billex, and their daughter Marie were accused of witchcraft, condemned, and then publicly executed. This drama reflects the persecutions related to witch hunting in Alsace in the 17th century. Despite this, the house retained its prestige, as evidenced by the reception of Louis XIV in 1681, where the king received the tribute of the magistrate of Strasbourg, symbolically sealing the submission of Alsace to the French crown.

Ranked a historic monument in 1929, Billex House also illustrates the subsequent architectural transformations: the windows on the ground floor and the first floor were pierced in the 18th century, while metal grids were added in the 20th century. A painted inscription reminiscent of Louis XIV's visit, covered with metal, is worn in L-Oriel. These details underline its importance both as a heritage and as a memorial to the city of Séletat and the Grand Est region.

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