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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Embrun building, classified as a Historic Monument, is a rare example of medieval civil architecture preserved in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. Located at 29 rue Clovis-Hugues, in the medieval town, its structure dates back to the fourteenth century. This building illustrates the town planning of the period, marked by stone houses with compact volumes and narrow openings, typical of episcopal cities like Embrun, then religious and political center of the Hautes-Alpes.

Inside, two bunk rooms have a French ceiling, characteristic of the wealthy houses of the Middle Ages. One of them is decorated with unidentified coats of arms, suggesting an owner belonging to the local aristocracy or the merchant bourgeoisie. These decorative elements, though partial, underline the high social status of the occupants. The building was registered by order of 16 February 1996, thus protecting its built environment and interior decorations.

The location of the building, in a preserved medieval area, reflects the urban organization of Emprun in the 14th century. The city, then under the influence of the archdiocese, concentrated spiritual power and economic activities. Houses like this were used both as a dwelling and as a place of commerce or craft, participating in the daily life of a booming city. Their conservation now offers a tangible overview of medieval urban life in the Southern Alps.

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