Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The house of the 3rd quarter of the 17th century, located Place du Marché au Malzieu-Ville, stands out for its construction in granite and sandstone stone, typical of local architecture. Its 17th century parlance preserves a medieval configuration on a narrow and traversing plot. The south façade, facing towards the square, features a de-entry door with a triangular pediment, doric pilasters and an oval egg eye. The 1667 vintage, engraved on the impost, and the 1665 date carved on a banner above the diamond-pointed key, allow a precise dating of the building. The chamfreined frame on the ground floor, once opened on a shop stall, evokes a past commercial vocation, while the cross-story, with ground supports, emphasize the care given to symmetry and decoration.

Originally, the ground floor was probably the home of commercial activities, as evidenced by the vestiges of arcades and the holidays returned to the height of man, later replaced by curved windows in the 19th century. The floors, illuminated by wide cross-sections and deep days, suggest mixed use (housing and storage). A defensive or symbolic peculiarity lies in monolithic stoneware allegations, pierced by circular holes evoking cannon guns, perhaps elements of use. The three-degree genoise, added in the 20th century, crowns the facades, marking a posterior aesthetic evolution. The main door, classified as Historic Monument in 1973, illustrates the influence of ancient orders and local craftsmanship, with its diamond motifs and its coarse moldings.

The building reflects the architectural transitions between the Middle Ages and the modern era, combining utility functions (shops, stables) and residential. Subsequent changes, such as the revamped attic window or Genoese, reveal a continuous adaptation to needs and tastes. The absence of a shield on the pediment, which has now disappeared, leaves a mystery on the possible sponsors or owners of origin. The house, by its structure and sculpted details, offers a characteristic example of the urban habitat in Gevaudan (present-day Lozère) under the Ancien Régime, where local stone and craftsmanship combined to build durable and functional buildings.

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