Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The house with Gothic fireplace of Carlux, located in the Dordogne department in New Aquitaine, is a rare example of preserved medieval civil architecture. Its chimney, of octagonal shape, rests on a square stump and crown a triangular gable typical of the fourteenth century. The barrel decorated with columnettes and its stone pyramid crowning illustrate the know-how of the artisans of the period, mixing functionality and Gothic aesthetics.

Classified as a Historic Monument by order of 21 August 1905, this fireplace is the only protected element of the house. Its structure, with repeated columns on the barrel and the upper part, reveals an unusual decorative research for a rural dwelling. The materials used, mainly stone, and the precision of the size suggest a careful construction, perhaps linked to an easy owner or a particular function of the building.

The location in Carlux, in the former Aquitaine region, places this monument in a historical context marked by the Hundred Years War (1337-1453). Monumental chimney houses, like this one, often served as visual landmarks in medieval towns, while symbolizing the social status of their occupants. The absence of other protected elements suggests further transformations, but the chimney remains an intact testimony of 14th century constructive techniques.

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