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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The building located at 42-44 rue du thursday in Alençon, in the department of Orne (Normandy), dates from the 18th century. Its façade bears the date of 1762, and it represents a characteristic example of small private hotels built by the city's trading bourgeoisie. These sober but elegant buildings reflect the economic and cultural development of Alençon in the Enlightenment century, marked by an enlightened provincial society.

The street façade and the roof of the building have been listed as historic monuments since 18 July 1975. The building retains notable architectural elements, such as a carved coat of arms, an engraved date on the façade, and a iron balcony. These details illustrate the attention paid to the exterior ornamentation, typical of bourgeois mansions of the time, while remaining in a simplicity adapted to a provincial city.

Inside, although not mentioned in the official protections, private hotels in France during this period often kept woodwork and antique furniture. These interiors reflect the way of life of wealthy families, combining comfort and social representation. The building is thus part of a larger architectural complex, reflecting the urban and social history of Alençon in the 18th century.

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