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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The building on Turenne Street in Angoulême dates from the 4th quarter of the 17th century, although its architectural style may suggest an older origin. It is a stone-cut door, decorated with bosses and pilasters, topped by an entably decorated with foliage. A key carved in acanthe leaf and two open frontons frame a niche, now empty, that once supported a statue. This sober yet elegant decor reflects the classical influence of the era.

The door is linked to the extension of the Carmelite convent, installed in Angoulême since 1633. In 1739, the religious community expanded its whole eastward, when this entrance would have been built. Although its stylistic dating may be confusing, its inscription as a Historic Monument in 1925 confirms its heritage importance. The door, the only protected element, illustrates the local craftsmanship and the role of religious orders in Angoumois town planning.

Filed by order of 4 March 1925, the door is now owned by an association. Its state of conservation and its approximate location (between rue Turenne and rue Bouillaud) highlight the challenges of preserving the minor heritage. Architectural details, such as backed pilasters or openworked pediments, make it a rare example of civil ornamentation inspired by the religious models of the Great Century.

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