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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Muratet House is a remarkable example of medieval civil architecture in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, built in two major phases. The main body, of two-storey trapezoidal form, dates from the first half of the 13th century (c. 1252-1264 according to dendrochronology). Its façade preserves original elements such as broken arched windows, ground cords, and a series of arcades on the ground floor, despite subsequent changes. A 13th century painted decoration, representing claws and armored knights, remains inside, showing its initial prestige.

At the end of the 15th century, the house underwent major transformations: the broken arcades on the ground floor were replaced by segmental arcades, and a lintel door decorated with a brace was added. The elevation on the courtyard is rebuilt in rubble, while a spiral staircase (dated after 1410) is built in an ovoid cage, marking a technical innovation for the time. These changes reflect the adaptation to the residential and commercial needs of the late Middle Ages, with traces of interior developments of the 15th and 17th centuries.

The ensemble, classified as Historical Monument in 1989, illustrates architectural evolution over centuries. Dendrochronological analyses suggest a construction of the main body between 1252 and 1264, while the stairway and facade reshuffles date from the early 15th century (circa 1410) or the third quarter of the 16th century, although these dates are sometimes contested. The house, today made up of several buildings, preserves rare medieval remains, such as a wooden partition and wall paintings, offering an overview of urban life in Saint-Antonin.

Subsequent transformations, especially in the 19th century, altered certain elements, but the medieval structure remains legible. The Muratet House thus embodies the transition from late Romanesque architecture (XIIIth century) to Gothic innovations (XVth century), while reflecting the social and economic dynamics of a Southwest merchant city.

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