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Origin and history

Maison Maillard is a mansion built in Brive-la-Gaillarde between the 13th and 16th centuries, mainly in the last quarter of the 15th century for the Maillard family. This monument is distinguished by its masonry in local sandstone, its frames of fine sandstone bays of Grammont, and a semi-outwork staircase tower with a screw staircase. The stairwell, covered with arches of warheads adorned with carved caps, leads to an upper room surmounted by a dome. The access gate, topped by a mâchicoulis, and the Gothic windows with balconies of the eighteenth century testify to its architectural evolution.

The hotel was built on the site of three houses acquired in 1477 by the Maillard family, several of which were consuls of Brive. In the 18th century, he passed to Malepeyre, traders and bankers, before serving as temporary town hall between 1835 and 1849 during the construction of the town hall. In 1851, modifications were made: the attic was masked to simulate an additional stage, the 15th century bays were elongated, and ironware guardrails were added. A complete restoration in 2001 revealed a set of masked chimneys, while a plaque commemorating André Latreille (1762–33), pioneer of entomology who had lived in the hotel.

Partially classified as a historical monument in 1965 (stairs tower and gallery on mâchicoulis), Maison Maillard illustrates medieval and Renaissance civil architecture in Limousin. Its vaulted underfloor in a cradle, its corbelled scalds and its fine sandstone decorations highlight its past prestige. The outbuildings, once extended to the rue des Bains (present-day rue Maillard), have now disappeared, replaced by individual houses.

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