Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Maison-forte so-called Maison Blanc, located in Beaufort en Savoie, is a building built on a north-west/south-east axis, parallel to the slope of the land. Its main access is at the foot of a tower, characteristic of the bourgeois houses of the region. The roof, on a double slope and covered with sheet metal (except the tower, in slate), as well as the crepie facades, reflect successive developments. The building is divided into three parts: an old rectangular section to the southeast, a central body with a tower housing a spiral staircase, and an 18th century extension. An umbrella beam bears the inscription "1756", bearing evidence of works of that time.

The tower district, where the house stands, owes its name to the many bourgeois houses with towers, symbols of ancient privileges. Beaufort, an enclaved but strategic valley, was an occupation as early as the 10th century, with local lords and archbishops of Tarentaise possessing property. In the 14th century, the region came under the control of Savoie County, confirming the franchises of the inhabitants. In the 18th century, the house, perhaps linked to the archdiocese, became the property of the White family, influential notaries. Pierre Blanc (1806–96), nicknamed "the old Allobroge", was the notable figure: a Sarde MP and then a French MP after the Savoy's attachment to France in 1860.

The building, surrounded by Saint-Maxime church and other old houses, is lined with a terraced garden. Its interiors, modified several times, illustrate continuous occupation and adaptations to the needs of successive owners. Ranked a Historic Monument in 2022, the White House embodies the architectural and social evolution of Beaufort, between medieval heritage and modern transformations.

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