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Heritage classified

Origin and history

The Maison dit la Coquille is a civil building located in Orléans, in the Loiret department (45), in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Dating from the 16th century, it is a typical example of the urban architecture of the French Renaissance. Its name probably evokes a decorative element or a missing sign, although the sources do not specify its exact origin.

Classified as a Historical Monument in 1889 by the first protection list, this house illustrates the heritage importance accorded to ancient civilian buildings since the late 19th century. Its official address, 7 rue de la Pierre-Percée, places the building in the historic heart of Orleans, a city marked by its medieval and reborn past. The confirmed GPS location corresponds to the indicated street, with an accuracy considered satisfactory (level 7/10).

The information available comes mainly from the Merimée base and the Monumentum platform, without further details on its original use, its owners, or possible major transformations. The house does not seem open to the public for regular visits, rentals, or accommodation, although this information is not explicitly confirmed by the sources consulted.

The 16th century in Orleans was a period of economic and cultural revival after the unrest of the Hundred Years War. Bourgeois houses, such as that of the Shell, reflect the prosperity of local elites, often linked to trade, dress (magistrates), or the Church. These buildings served as both a residence and a symbol of social status in a city undergoing reconstruction.

The absence of detailed sources on this specific house limits the knowledge of its particular history. However, its early ranking underscores its architectural or historical interest, perhaps linked to decorative elements (such as sculptures, sill windows) or its role in the urban fabric of Orleans. The photographs available under the Creative Commons license (credit: Fab5669) allow you to appreciate the facade, but without thorough stylistic analysis.

Code Insee 45234 confirms the membership of Orléans in the department of Loiret, in the region Centre-Val de Loire, a territory rich in built heritage of the 15th and 16th centuries. The House of the Shell is thus part of a wider set of protected monuments, bearing witness to the architectural and social evolution of the city between the Middle Ages and the modern era.

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