Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The canonical house, located 1 rue Manceau in Tours, is an emblematic building of the 15th and 17th centuries, marked by various architectural influences. Its main façade, structured on raised ground floor, floor and high, reveals remarkable sculptural details. Two windows on the ground floor keep their frames with prismatic mouldings, while their lintels, supported by lamp asses, are decorated with motifs representing angelots or rams. These decorative elements bear witness to a refined craftsmanship, typical of the late medieval period.

The entrance door, in the middle of the hangar, is another strong point of the building. Its upper beat has a pattern carved in volutes, adding a touch of baroque elegance to the ensemble. This door gives access to an inner courtyard, emphasizing the spatial organization of canonical houses, often designed to combine functionality and prestige. The inscription of the house as a Historical Monuments by order of 27 June 1946 specifically protects its south-east and north-east facades, as well as its gate on street, recognizing their heritage value.

The location of the house, in the centre of Tours, reflects the historical importance of this city, cultural and religious crossroads in the Centre-Val de Loire. Canon houses, intended to house the canons, played a central role in the ecclesiastical and social life of the time. Their architecture, often neat, symbolized the status and influence of their occupants within the community. Today, this monument offers a tangible testimony to the urban and architectural evolution of Tours between the Middle Ages and the modern era.

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