Construction of house 4e quart XVIe siècle (≈ 1687)
Residence of a royal notary.
12 février 2002
Historical monument classification
Historical monument classification 12 février 2002 (≈ 2002)
Registration by ministerial decree.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The entire house, including its interiors with their decorations (scenes, monumental fireplaces, woodwork) (Box AB 17-19): inscription by order of 12 February 2002
Key figures
Notaire royal (anonyme) - Original owner
Sponsor of Mate House.
Origin and history
The house Mate is a residence in Montusclat, in the Haute-Loire department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Built in the late 16th century, it belonged to a royal notary and is distinguished by an architecture combining local rural features and quality of construction close to urban buildings. Its spiral staircase, French ceilings and monumental fireplaces testify to this unusual refinement for a country house of the time.
The house was listed as historic monuments by order of 12 February 2002, thus protecting the entire building, including its interior decorations (woodworks, stairs, fireplaces). This protection underscores its heritage importance, both for its architecture and for its history related to local notability under the Old Regime.
Although integrated into a rural environment, Mate House illustrates the influence of provincial elites (notaries, royal officers) who, while adopting traditional housing codes, introduced elements of comfort and prestige inspired by urban hotels. Its semi hors-oeuvre tower and its interior fittings make it a remarkable example of the adaptation of aristocratic architectural models to a rural setting.
