Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Maison de la Reine Blanche, located in Bourges, Cher department, is a remarkable example of late 15th century civil architecture. Built between 1488 and 1489, it illustrates the style of the bourgeois houses of this period, with decorative elements such as the family coat of arms engraved on a chimney on the floor. His name, although evoked a royal figure, did not find direct explanation in the available sources, but his history was closely linked to the local bourgeoisie of the time.

This house would have been built for Ursin de Sauzay, an influential personality of Bourges. In 1484 he then held the post of administrator of the Hôtel-Dieu from 1492 until his death before 1503. The coat of arms of his family, present on a fireplace, attest to his connection to the building. Classified as a Historic Monument in 1911 for its façade, the house retains a major heritage value, reflecting both the social prestige of its sponsor and the constructive techniques of the nascent Renaissance.

The location of the Maison de la Reine Blanche, at 17 rue Gambon, makes it a witness to the medieval urbanism of Bourges, then prosperous city thanks to its political and economic role in Berry. Although information on its subsequent use is scarce, its early ranking underlines its importance in the built heritage of the Centre-Val de Loire region. Today, it remains a symbol of the architectural and historical heritage of the city, attracting the attention of lovers of heritage and urban history.

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