Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The house located on 11 rue des Vieux-Capucins in Chartres is a historical monument dating back to the 16th century, with major changes in the second half of the 18th century. This building is distinguished by its civil architecture and its protected interior elements, including a living room decorated with panelling and wall paintings.

In 1775, the house was acquired by Marie-Dufresne, municipal officer of Chartres. The latter arranges a small living room where four murals are made integrated in a panelled decor. These works, dated from the late eighteenth century, illustrate emblematic scenes of the French Revolution, reflecting the social and political tensions of the time.

The paintings represent key events: the capture of the Bastille in 1789, the arrival of the royal family at the Paris City Hall on October 6, 1789, a scene of shortage with women waiting in front of a bakery, and a convoy of wheat or flour escorted by national guards. These frescoes, by their theme and style, offer a rare visual testimony of the revolutionary upheavals experienced by the population.

The house has been partially classified as a Historic Monument since 1976, with protection covering its facades, roofs and four painted panels in the living room. These elements, still visible today, constitute a major artistic and historical heritage for the city of Chartres and the Centre-Val de Loire region.

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