Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The so-called Henri IV house, located in La Ferté-Saint-Samson in Seine-Maritime, is a wooden building inscribed in the Historical Monuments since 1968. This iconic building bears witness to the traditional Norman architecture, although its direct link with King Henry IV is not explicitly documented in the available sources. Its style and preservation make it a key element of local heritage, reflecting the rural and seigneurial history of the region.

Ferté-Saint-Samson, a rural commune of Normandy, is marked by a rich medieval past, particularly linked to the family of Gournay. The first known lord, Gautier de La Ferté, grandson of Eudes, Count of Gournay, received this land in 912 from Rollon, founder of the Duchy of Normandy. This historical context suggests that the house could be part of a local architectural tradition dating back to that time, although its precise dating is not mentioned.

The village, located near Forges-les-Eaux, preserves several traces of its history, such as the castral motte of the Côte des Châteaux, former stronghold of the lords of Gournay. Henri IV's house, with its protected facades and roofs, is integrated into this heritage landscape, illustrating the daily life and social organisation of a Norman rural municipality throughout the centuries. Its registration in 1968 underlines its cultural and historical importance, despite the lack of details about its construction or its famous occupants.

The region, characterized by an oceanic climate and a traditional agricultural economy, has seen its land use change, with a predominance of grasslands and forests. This environmental and historical setting offers a context conducive to the preservation of monuments such as this house, a symbol of both architectural and memorial heritage for the 449 present inhabitants of the municipality.

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