Initial construction XVIIe siècle (≈ 1750)
Original master house built.
1895-1914
Major renovations
Major renovations 1895-1914 (≈ 1905)
Neo-Roman additions and decorations by Willette.
1910
Development of the park
Development of the park 1910 (≈ 1910)
Created by Eugene Touret.
29 juillet 1991
First protection
First protection 29 juillet 1991 (≈ 1991)
Registration of interior decorations.
15 avril 2019
Total protection
Total protection 15 avril 2019 (≈ 2019)
House ranking, outbuildings and park.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Wall paintings executed by Willette, located in the living room on the ground floor; elements of the carved interior decor, inspired by Willette, namely: stone fireplace of the living room on the ground floor, stone fireplace of the large dining room on the ground floor, stone fireplace of a bedroom of the first floor with lintel adorned with a young woman's face, stone friezes and consoles of the main stairway, figurated plaster caps of the gallery known as the musicians on the first floor (Box B 125): inscription by decree of 29 July 1991; The house of "the White Cross", its outbuildings and its park, in total, located at the place-so-called "the White Cross" (Box B 125, 126): inscription by order of 15 April 2019
Key figures
Adolphe Willette - Painter and decorator
Author of paintings and inspiration of sculptures.
Lucien Salmont - Sponsor of work
Lawyer owner during renovations.
Eugène Touret - Landscape architect
Manufacturer of the park in 1910.
Origin and history
The White Cross House, located in Ingrandes, is a 17th century building that underwent major transformations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally, the main building was a master's house, the volume of which was retained only during the work carried out between 1895 and 1914. These renovations, initiated for the lawyer Lucien Salmont on the advice of the painter Adolphe Willette, included the addition of a wing with a chapel, three neo-Roman-style galleries, a new staircase, and decorated chimneys. The roofs, initially long-paned and crouped, were modified by the addition of many secondary roofs.
The interior decorations are striking: Adolphe Willette painted the salon and inspired the sculptures of the friezes, capitals, and captivators of the musicians' gallery, taking up his favourite artistic themes. The work also involved the caretaker's house, whose 17th century chimney could come from a re-use or date of initial construction. Finally, the park was built in 1910 by landscape architect Eugène Touret, completing the architectural ensemble.
The White Cross House has been listed as a Historic Monument since 1991 for its murals and carved elements, then in total (house, outbuildings and park) in 2019. The protections include stone fireplaces, the friezes of the staircase, and the caps of the musicians' gallery, all inspired by Willette. The ensemble illustrates a fusion between traditional architecture and artistic influences of the late 19th century.
The outbuildings, such as the barn and stables, date back to the 19th century, while the guardian's house preserves older elements, potentially from the 17th century. The exact address, instead of La Croix Blanche, and its INSEE code (36087) are located in the Indre department, in the Centre-Val de Loire region. The accuracy of its location is estimated as fair (note 5/10), based on available data.
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