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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The building located in Nogent-le-Roi, in the present region Centre-Val de Loire (formerly Centre), dates from the 15th and 16th centuries. It stands out for its corbelling floors on Rue de la Volaille, supported by five carved wooden consoles. The latter represent three characters with a bishop's mitre and two with a priest's tau, strong symbols of the religious power of the time. The facade, originally entirely made of wooden panels with a brick filling, illustrates the medieval constructive techniques still visible despite the subsequent transformations.

The protection of this building was formalized by an order of 20 May 1966, classifying its facades and roofs on streets as Historic Monument. The precise address, 8 rue du Général-de-Gaulle (formerly Grande-Rue), and its location in the department of Eure-et-Loir (28) underline its anchoring in the local heritage. The sculpted elements, including ecclesiastical figures, suggest a link with close religious institutions, although their sponsor or exact context are not documented in available sources.

The approximate location, noted as "a priori satisfactory" (level 6/10), and the photographs licensed under Creative Commons (credit: The Past) allow to understand its current state. No information is provided on its accessibility to the public, its current vocation (housing, commerce, etc.), or possible recent restorations. The data are mainly from the Merimée database and Monumentum, without additional local archives or detailed architectural studies.

At the time of its construction, Nogent-le-Roi was a dynamic village in the Kingdom of France, marked by a rural and artisanal economy. Wood-paned buildings, such as this one, often served as housing, workshops or trading venues for merchants and artisans. Their carved decoration, especially when it evoked religious symbols, reflected both the piety of the sponsors and their desire to display a high social status. These buildings also played a role in structuring the urban space, delineating the streets and central squares.

The absence of sources on the owners or craftsmen who worked on this building limits the understanding of its social history. However, the presence of ecclesiastical motives could indicate a proximity to a local abbey or diocese, as was common for buildings financed by pious donors. The tau dabbé, in particular, were associated with monastic orders, while the mitres evoked episcopal authority, two influential powers in medieval France.

Protection under the Historic Monuments in 1966 reflects the late recognition of its heritage value, in a context where the preservation of ancient centres became a priority. Since then, no additional information has been available on any restoration campaigns or archaeological studies at the site. The building remains a representative but partially documented example of medieval civil architecture in Eure-et-Loir.

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