Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The building of Châteaudun is part of the vast reconstruction project of the city after the devastating fire of 21 June 1723, which destroyed more than 1,000 houses. Jules Hardouin, the building controller, was commissioned to redraw the city centre according to a chessboard plan, with a large rectangular square surrounded by public buildings and uniform houses. This square, designed in precise geometric proportions, was to accommodate commercial arcades and four monumental pavilions, two of which were actually built, such as the stone town hall (1777).

The reconstruction followed a rigorous urbanistic model, combining functionality and classical aesthetics. The facades and roofs of certain buildings, including the building on 18 October, were protected by an order of 18 August 1953 for their heritage value. The original project also included two symmetrical pavilions on the opposite side of the square, finally replaced by a post office hotel in the 20th century (1900), illustrating the evolution of urban needs.

The building, with its characteristic facades and roofs, now embodies the 18th century architectural heritage in Châteaudun. Its classification as Historic Monument underscores its role in the city's urban history, marked by the desire for modernization after the 1723 disaster. The square, conceived as a structural central space, reflects the urban principles of the Enlightenment, combining order, symmetry and embellishment of the living environment.

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