Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The house at 46 Donzelle Street in Cahors is a remarkable example of medieval civil architecture, built between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The dendrochronological analyses specify a date of construction around 1289, confirming its late origin in the thirteenth century. This two-storey, wood-paned building features a typical structure of the urban houses of the time: a storefront entrance under sandstone to the east and a lateral access to the floors by the north. Remains of red and yellow murals, discovered on the 2nd floor on the west wall, could date back to the 15th century, adding an artistic dimension to its history.

Originally, this house was probably associated with the southern parcel, forming a larger whole. It became temporarily independent before being reunited in the seventeenth century, during which time a new staircase was added, replacing an old medieval alley. This transformation reflects the urban evolution of Cahors, where brick houses and wooden panels were common. The elements protected by the Order of 10 June 1996 include part of Lot No. 1, excluding a second floor room, highlighting its heritage importance.

Building techniques combining bricks and wood panels, as well as traces of wall paintings, illustrate the artisanal know-how of the Middle Ages in Quercy. The house, although partially modified in the seventeenth century, retains major medieval features, as evidenced by the sandstones and the interior distribution. Its inscription as a Historical Monument in 1996 enshrines its historical and architectural value, while providing a light on urban life in Cahors between the 13th and 17th centuries.

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