Timeline

Heritage classified

Origin and history

The house at 25 rue des Merciers in La Rochelle is a wooden block building dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. This monument, typical of late medieval architecture, illustrates the construction techniques of the era, with a wooden structure filled with torchi or bricks. Its inscription as Historic Monument in 1928 underscores its heritage importance, especially for its facade and arcade, elements protected by decree.

La Rochelle, the major port on the Atlantic coast, experienced intense commercial activity during this period, particularly related to salt and wine. Wood-paned houses, like this one, often served as housing for merchants or artisans, while sometimes sheltering professional activities on the ground floor. Their presence in the city centre reflects the urban prosperity and social organization of the time, where wood was a material valued for its speed of implementation and its moderate cost.

The exact address of the house, 25 rue des Merciers, is referenced in the Mérimée base, although GPS coordinates suggest a location close to 34 of the same street. This disparity reflects the challenges of cartographic accuracy for ancient monuments. The house does not appear open to visit, and its current use (housing, commerce or other) is not specified in the available sources.

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