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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The house of the Trois-Clous, also known as the house of Charles VII, is a medieval residence located in Poitiers, New Aquitaine. Built in the early 15th century, it is distinguished by its stone façade and its three nails planted at the top, which earned it its name in the 19th century. Although his name evokes King Charles VII, this local tradition is based on a legend: his visit to Poitiers in 1424 is attested, but there is no document proving that he stayed there. The house, classified as a historical monument in 1923, has remarkable architectural elements such as a coat of arms with fleurs de lys, suggesting a link with the monarchy or a royal official.

The structure, rectangular, rises on three floors served by a spiral staircase. The window on the first floor, the most worked, features mouldings and reliefs of vine leaves, framing a degraded coat of arms worn by angels. Two gargoyles adorn the facade between the second and third floors, while a carved stone represents a character holding a phylacter. These details, combined with the three symbolic nails, illustrate the craftsmanship and beliefs of the time. Today the private property, the house bears witness to the medieval civil heritage of Poitiers, mixing history and legend.

The building was classified for its façade and roof by decree of 6 February 1923, highlighting its heritage value. Although his attribution to Charles VII remains hypothetical, the presence of royal coat of arms and its typical 15th century architecture make it a significant example of the urban dwellings of the period. The house, located at 118 Grand-Rue, embodies both royal prestige and Poitevin bourgeois life, while remaining a mystery for local historians.

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