Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The house Quéval, located in Cahors in the Lot, is a historical monument built in the 13th century. The ground floor, dedicated to trade or crafts, was opened by three large arched arcades, while the first floor, reserved for housing, was marked by gemini windows and vestiges of chimneys and wall paintings, evidence of a certain comfort. The materials used, low-part bricks and high-floor bellows, illustrate the construction techniques of the time.

At the end of the 14th century or at the beginning of the 15th century, medieval bays were replaced by carved stone crosses, and the second floor was redesigned. These changes, followed by an association with the neighbouring house in the 16th century, marked a phase of expansion: new openings were created and then abandoned a century later. The 19th century saw a complete change in levels, making each floor autonomous, reflecting the evolving needs of occupants and urban transformations.

The study of the building reveals several 15th-century windows, decorated with simple or double splinters decorated with rustic or twisted boudins. Some old frames, with their diamond glasswork, still remain. The old plans confirm the durability of the plot, while the successive changes (XIII, XV, XVI and XIX centuries) underline its constant adaptation to usages and times. The facades on the street, protected since 1925, today embody this rich and complex architectural heritage.

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