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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Simon Poisson Apothecary House, located 67 Beaurepaire Street in Angers, is a Renaissance house built in the 16th century for this apothecary master merchant, supplier of the Saint John Hospital. Acquired in 1575 by a notarial act preserved in the archives of the Ronceray, it was rebuilt in 1582, as indicated by the date engraved on the facade, accompanied by initials S and P and a crowned fish, emblem of its sponsor. The facade, adorned with allegorical figures (science, magnificence, friendship, liberality), has a rich sculpted decor, while the interior combines wooden panels, schist masonry and tufted apparatus, revealing various constructive techniques.

The building, classified as a Historical Monument in 1963 for its facade and roof, remained in the Poisson family until 1641, when it was sold by its anoblis descendants, including Simon Poisson, provost adviser, and Renée, wife of a lawyer. Major renovations took place in the 19th century (roadways, balcony on the 1st floor, recovery of the wood panel) and around 1900 (transformation of the courtyard to the backyard, modification of the basement). The successive restorations (1980s, 1990, 2001) alternated between preservation (decommissioning of painted wood) and modern adaptations (decompression of the staircase in screws to create the square Jean-de-l'Étoile).

The archives reveal notable technical details, such as the vaulted cellar in a schist cradle (partly removed), a tufted wall separating the shop from a servitude corridor, and a long-paned blanket with appentis. A longitudinal cut of 1960 and a sales act of 1641 confirm the existence of a second level of basement. The building, originally for mixed use (housing and shop), illustrates the evolution of commercial and residential practices in urban areas, from the Renaissance to the contemporary era.

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