Construction of building 1605 (≈ 1605)
Date engraved on the façade for François Misière.
1608
First notarial act
First notarial act 1608 (≈ 1608)
Proof of property of François Misière.
1675
Aveu confirming the property
Aveu confirming the property 1675 (≈ 1675)
Document always attesting possession by Misière.
9 août 1942
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 9 août 1942 (≈ 1942)
Protection of the facade and roof.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The façade and the roof: inscription by decree of 9 August 1942
Key figures
François Misière - Humanist physician and owner
Sponsor of the house in 1605.
Benjamin Fillon - Local historian
Spread the wrong attribution to Jean Morison.
Origin and history
The building located 16 Place Belliard in Fontenay-le-Comte is a house built in 1605, as evidenced by an inscription on its facade. It belonged to François Misière, a humanist doctor, from the first years of the seventeenth century, according to notarial acts of 1608 and a confession of 1675. The facade and roof, protected since 1942, present architectural elements typical of the Renaissance, like a staircase turret today arased and covered with tiles.
The house has an engraved motto, "PEU ET PEACE", on the second floor. Originally covered with tiles, it is now in slate, while its basement is vaulted. The erroneous attribution of its construction to a certain Jean Morison, propagated by historian Benjamin Fillon, was taken over without proof by many local authors. Subsequent modifications (roof, turret) reflect adaptations after its initial construction.
Ranked a Historic Monument in 1942 for its facade and roof, the building illustrates the civil architecture of Fontenay-le-Comte in the early seventeenth century. Its present state, although modified (slate replacing tiles, truncated turret), retains traces of its past, such as the inscription of 1605, partially erased. The location, right in the city centre (Place Belliard), highlights its importance in the historic urban fabric.
Available sources (Merimée base, Monumentum) confirm its exact address and Insee code (85092, Vendée), as well as its heritage protection. The accuracy of its geographical location is considered "fair" (note 5/10), and there is no information indicating an opening to the public or a current tourist vocation.
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