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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Maison Gauthiot d'Ancier, located in Gray in Burgundy-Franche-Comté, is a private hotel whose construction begins at the end of the 15th century under the impulse of Guy Gauthiot. At his death in 1509, only remains such as openings on the ground floor, a semi-outstanding staircase door, and a fireplace remain. The project was taken over around 1525-1550 by his son, Simon Gauthiot d'Ancier, with the master of work of the Greylois Pierre Arnoux, marking the climax of the building.

The hotel is distinguished by refined architectural elements: a screw staircase with swivel cage, a family motto ("God is my hope") engraved on chimneys and facades, and medallions of Roman emperors (moved in the 19th century). The DOM monogram, framed by marine anchors, adorns several parts of the building. In 1628, the hotel was sold to Christophe Bonhours, who in 1636 welcomed Saint-Pierre Fourier, founder of the Notre-Dame Congregation, to a now classified oratory.

In the 18th century, the hotel was partially dismembered: the facades of 4 and 8 rue du Marché were redesigned, while in the 19th century, a part became a religious boarding school (1860) for the sisters of the Notre Dame congregation. The protections under the Historical Monuments concern the gate of the tower of stairs (registered in 1942) and the Saint-Pierre Fourier Oratory (classified in 1965). Today, the building, disused, retains traces of its past prestige, although its original extent remains difficult to restore.

The exterior decorations, such as the Roman medallions moved from Place de Gaulle, and the inscriptions (curse, DOM monogram) illustrate the influence of the Gauthiot of Ancier. The fireplace on the ground floor (6 rue du Marché) and the door to the oratory (8 rue du Marché) recall the construction phases, mixing late Gothic and Renaissance. The ensemble reflects Gray's social and religious history, marked by the welcoming of figures such as Saint-Pierre Fourier.

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