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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The 18th century house in Lodève is a typical example of the urban architecture of this period. It is located in a neighbourhood close to the cathedral, historically occupied by priests and canons in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. In 1650 it was acquired by François Bosquet, then bishop of Lodève, before becoming the property of a family of rich draper merchants in 1767.

The construction of this house probably took place in the second half of the eighteenth century, for Étienne Jourdan, a drapier merchant, or for his son, also involved in the trade of sheets. The two-storey building on the ground floor is distinguished by its curved windows and a cornice decorated with a boudin and a cellar. The entrance, to the left of the facade, is marked by a forebody with pilasters and a circular pediment.

The portal and balcony, which were listed as Historic Monuments in 1964, are the most remarkable elements. The balcony, curved and supported by balusters, features wrought ironwork, including C and S volutes, as well as a central monogram. The old vantals of the door are decorated with rustic bosses, reflecting the social status of its merchant owners. In the 19th century, the building was fragmented, losing part of its original unity.

The bay tower and balcony illustrate the local craftsmanship of the era, with bellow motifs and shells, typical of the rock style. These details, combined with the massive frame of the door, underline the economic importance of the draper merchants in Lodève, a city then prosperous thanks to the textile industry. The house thus bears witness to the social and architectural evolution of the city between the 17th and 19th centuries.

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