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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The building at 42 Rabelais Street in Poitiers is a 16th-century civil building. It is distinguished by its stone sign, named Au Phoenix, which adorns the facade above the entrance door. This architectural element, typical of the Renaissance, was classified Historic Monument by ministerial decree on August 30, 1956, highlighting its heritage value and its remarkable state of conservation for the time.

The location of the building in the historic centre of Poitiers reflects the urbanization of the city during the Renaissance, a period marked by economic and cultural growth in Poitou. The sculpted signs, such as that of Phoenix, were then used to identify shops or notable houses, while at the same time testifying to the know-how of local artisans. Rabelais Street, where the building is located, bears the name of the humanist writer François Rabelais, although its direct link to the building is not documented in available sources.

Administrative data indicate that the building is referenced in the Merimée database under the code Insee 86194, corresponding to the municipality of Poitiers in the Department of Vienna. The accuracy of its geolocation is considered fair (note 5/10), suggesting an approximation in the current GPS coordinates. No information is provided on its accessibility to the public or its contemporary use (visit, rental, etc.).

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