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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The turret house, also known as the Renaissance House, is an emblematic monument of Verneuil d'Avre and Iton (formerly Verneuil-sur-Avre), in the Eure. Dated from the second half of the 15th century, it illustrates the civil architecture of the late Middle Ages in Normandy. Its name "renaissance house" reflects its transitory style between late Gothic and renaissant influences, although it was built before the major 16th century artistic movement. It is distinguished by its turret, an architectural element characteristic of bourgeois or aristocratic houses of the time.

Classified as historic monuments in 1862, this house bears witness to the heritage importance of Verneuil-sur-Avre, a city marked by its medieval history and its strategic position between Normandy and Île-de-France. Today, it houses the municipal library Jérôme Carcopino, making it both a cultural and a historical place. Its location at the corner of Rue du Canon and Rue de la Madeleine makes it a landmark in the city centre.

The protection of the house by the state in 1862 is part of the first waves of classification of historical monuments in France, initiated by Prosper Mérimée. This early ranking underscores its architectural value and remarkable conservation status for a building of this period. The house is now owned by the commune, which guarantees its preservation and accessibility to the public, although the sources do not specify whether it is open to visit outside its current use as a library.

Available sources, including Wikipedia and the Merimée base, confirm its status as a protected monument and provide details on its precise location. However, little information is available about its former owners or about specific historical events that would take place there. Its architecture, combining residential and defensive functions (perhaps as evidenced by the turret), reflects the concerns of the urban elites of the late Middle Ages in Normandy.

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