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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

La Grande-Maison de Lhoumée, located 48-50 rue Chaudrier in La Rochelle, is a building built between the 15th and 18th centuries. Its arched porch, flamboyant Gothic style, dates from the late 15th or early 16th century. The façade, on the other hand, was largely redesigned in the 18th century, incorporating classical elements such as the initials C and B on the central window, references to the Cadoret family of Beaupréau, owner from 1723.

The first written mention of the house dates back to 1541, evoking a gallery in vaulted facade and under arcades, adorned with the arms of the families of La Tremeille, Coëtivy and Orléans-Angoulême. These details suggest a link with local or regional aristocracy. The building, whose interior was profoundly altered in the 20th century, was listed as historic monuments by order of 14 June 1928, thereby recognizing its heritage value.

The architecture of the Grand House of Lhoumie illustrates the stylistic transitions between the Middle Ages and the modern era. The Gothic porch, with its sculpted ribs and caps, contrasts with the classic 18th century facade, reflecting changes in tastes and techniques. This monument thus embodies the urban history of La Rochelle, marked by its commercial role and its preserved architectural heritage.

The Cadoret de Beaupréau family, which acquired the house in 1723, placed its initials (C and B) on the central window, a symbol of its influence. This detail, combined with the weapons of the noble families of the sixteenth century, reveals a complex social and historical stratification. The house, though transformed internally in the 20th century, preserves in facade the traces of these successive epochs.

The inscription to historical monuments in 1928 aims to protect the most remarkable elements: the facade and its arcade. This ranking underscores the importance of this building in the rocky landscape, where medieval heritage and subsequent adaptations mix. Today, the Grand House of Lhoumie remains a tangible testimony to the architectural and social evolution of the city.

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