Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Nicol House, also known as Gleyzes House, is a civilian dwelling in the municipality of Mas-Saintes-Puelles, in the department of Aude (Occitanie region). Built in the 18th century, it is distinguished by its richly decorated entrance pediment, combining unconventional heraldic elements with floral motifs, bass-yard animals and fruit. This eclectic decor, dominated by a bas-relief bust representing a wig character, reflects an original artistic style for the era, probably realized in the second half of the century.

The house is associated with local history by its supposed link with a descendant of the Italian family Andréossy. This family, including Francesco Andreossy, was a key collaborator of Paul Riquet in the construction of the Canal des Deux-Mers (Canal du Midi), would have left an imprint in the region. The carved pediment, the only protected element, was listed as historic monuments by order of 17 September 1964, highlighting its exceptional heritage value.

Architecturally, the house illustrates the taste of the eighteenth century for symbolic ornaments and aristocratic references, although its coat of arms stands out from traditional heraldic rules. Its location in Mas-Saintes-Puelles, a village marked by a rural and artisanal history, makes it a rare testimony to the cultural and social influences of the period. Today, the house remains a point of local interest, although its current access and uses (visit, rental) are not specified in the available sources.

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