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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

La Maison rouge is a medieval house located in Chinon, in the Indre-et-Loire department, in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Built in the 14th century, it is distinguished by its facade with wooden panels and briquettes, an architectural style rare in Touraine but more common in the northern regions. It is located at 38 Voltaire Street, a major artery of the city in the Middle Ages, and at the corner of the Grand Carroi, a central square of local medieval activity. Its name comes from the red bricks that dominate its walls, contrasting with the nearby Blue House.

The house, consisting of a ground floor, two floors and a top, once housed three stalls on the lower level. Its facade, marked by horizontal lines (baths, bandages, corbelled sandstones) and geometric brick motifs, is unique in the region. The southern gable is protected by a roof thrust called "capucine". Although the interior has been completely redesigned, losing its original organization, the facade retains its medieval appearance. The Red House has been listed as a historic monument since November 12, 1926.

Historical sources, such as Wikipedia and Monumentum, highlight its architectural importance and partial conservation status. The brick fillings between the wood panels and the lateral wall of cut stone (perhaps posterior) reflect the evolution of the construction. Its sculpted décor and corbelled structure make it a rare example of medieval urban habitat in the region. No information is available on any historic owners or sponsors.

The location of the Red House, in the heart of a lively medieval street and near a central square, suggests its role in the commercial and social life of Chinon. At the time, wood-paned houses were often used as homes, workshops or trading venues for artisans and merchants. These buildings reflected the prosperity of medieval cities, where economic activity was concentrated around the main squares and axes. The Red House, with its shops on the ground floor, illustrates this mixed function, typical of the urban centres of the time.

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