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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The House of Tanneurs, located at 63 rue du Faubourg-de-Bitche in Wissembourg (Bas-Rhin), is an emblematic 16th century building, built in 1550 as attests the vintage engraved on its haze. Its architecture combines late Gothic and Renaissance elements, visible in particular in its entrance door and dressing room decorated with antique medallions, carved heads, shields and dacanthes motifs. The facades, made of sandstone with angle chains, have glass-shaped and crossed windows, partially restored. Three armorious ecus, one of which bears the Breitenacker sun, adorn the dressing room, although their connection to the tanning profession – often mentioned – remains hypothetical.

Ranked a historic monument by order of 13 June 1929, the house also owes its fame to the film L-Ami Fritz (1932), shot on site. Its east gable and north elevation, respectively, overlook the Lauter and Rue des Remparts, while its roof, with two half croupes, and its interior distribution have been redesigned. Walled interior doors testify to an old communication with a adjoining building, which is now gone. The south facade, like some ecus, could date back to 19th century restorations.

The hypothesis that this house would have sheltered tanners rests on a shield representing a scraper pierced with a nail, object evoking this profession. However, there is no architectural or historical evidence to confirm this activity, with the other ecus suggesting links with barrels or domestic brands. The house thus illustrates the artisanal and symbolic practices of the Renaissance Alsace, between medieval heritage and humanist influences.

Its inscription in the title of historical monuments underscores its heritage value, both for its hybrid style and for its sculpted details, such as the vases and acanthes of the lodge. Although some parts have been modified (roof, posterior elevation), the building retains original features, especially in its eastern gable. Today, it remains a major testimony of Alsatian civil architecture of the modern period.

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