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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Maison de la Voûte is a medieval building located in Chartres, in the department of Eure-et-Loir, in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Dating from the 12th, 13th, 14th and 15th centuries, it illustrates the domestic architecture of this period. Its primitive ground, buried more than four metres under the current pavement, reveals a partially buried facade, while its structure combines masonry with a central pillar supporting a arched vault.

Originally, this building served as a salt attic, a common use in medieval cities for salt storage and taxation, a strategic commodity. The street façade is distinguished by two twin gables in carved stone, while the lower room, vaulted, rests on a central round pillar and recessed columns. These architectural elements bear witness to the civil construction techniques of the time.

Classified as a historical monument by order of 18 October 1966, the Maison de la Voûte experienced a modern reassignment: in 2011, it housed a clothing store. Its classification underlines its heritage importance, especially for its rare vestige of domestic architecture of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Available sources, such as the Merimée and Monumentum base, confirm its address in place of the Swan, in the heart of Chartres.

The building is also characterized by its precise location, mentioned under two nearby addresses: 19 rue du Swan and 19 place du Swan. This duality may reflect urban developments or historical transcription errors. The accuracy of its geographical location is assessed as "very satisfactory" (note 8/10), facilitating its identification in the cartrain urban fabric.

The protected elements include the entire house, referred to under cadastre C 130 and 131p. No information is available on any public visits, room rental or guest rooms, suggesting mainly private or commercial use since its restoration. Photographs such as Trizek's Creative Commons license document its current state.

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