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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The house of 12 Place du Marché, located in Arpajon in the Essonne department, is a 15th century building. It is distinguished by its typical architecture of this period, with a limestone bellows facade and sill windows. The entrance is made by a cochère door leading to an inner courtyard, where a conical roof turret houses a screw staircase. This type of construction reflects the medieval urban organization, where bourgeois or artisanal houses were built around closed courts for reasons of security and community life.

The house has been listed as a Historic Monument since November 7, 1966, a recognition that protects its facades and roofs. Its architecture combines defensive elements, such as the closed courtyard, and aesthetic details, such as the wooden gallery or stoneware links. These characteristics illustrate the evolution of urban habitats in Île-de-France in the late Middle Ages, where local materials (calcareous, sandstone) were widely used. The stair turret, a remarkable element, facilitated traffic between floors while optimizing space in often narrow plots.

The building, probably intended for mixed use (housing and professional activities), reflects the economic dynamism of Arpajon in the 15th century. The market place, where it is located, was a central place for trade and social life. The projecting commons and the high floor suggest an adaptation to the practical needs of the time, such as storage or handicrafts. Today, this house is a preserved example of medieval civil architecture in Essonne, accessible through visits or documentary resources such as the Merimée base.

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