Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Louis-XV House, located 26 rue des Loges in Fontenay-le-Comte (Vendée), is a remarkable example of 18th-century civil architecture. Built in 1771 for the nail merchant Pierre Proust des Nohiers and his wife Marie-Catherine Bertoin, it has neo-classical facades made of cut stone, work of the blacksmith and master local artisan François Blondel. The rest of the building, in stone, consists of two houses covered with long-paned roofs, connected by a covered passage. The monograms of the sponsors still adorn the guardrails of the balconies, testifying to their social status under the Ancien Régime.

Under the Ancien Régime, the house depended on the fief of Saint-Michel-le-Clucq, reflecting the seigneurial organization of the region. The building succeeded a previous residence, acquired in 1759, from which remains a cellar and walled openings. The detailed expertise of the time reveals the economic importance of Fontenay-le-Comte, a dynamic city where trade and crafts flourished. In the 19th century, the staircase and covered passage were redesigned, while in the 20th century, the shop was modernized with a facade arch.

Ranked a historic monument in 1931 for its facades, the house illustrates the architectural and social evolution of the Vendée. Its current 19th-century staircase and protected elements (size stones, balconies) make it a preserved heritage. The archives also mention precise expertise when buying the land in 1759, highlighting the rigour of the real estate transactions of the time.

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