Hôtel de Gisson
MonumentHidden Treasure
Hôtel de Gisson, located in Sarlat-la-Canéda (Dordogne), is a Renaissance château built in the 16th century. The monument is currently closed to visitors.
Key facts
- Type
- autre
- Period
- Renaissance (16th century)
- Location
- Sarlat-la-Canéda, Dordogne, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 44.8904, 1.2166
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00082937
A Renaissance jewel of Sarlat, the hôtel de Gisson displays its hexagonal staircase tower and its flamboyant decoration at the heart of the medieval city, bearing witness to the prestige of the Périgord magistracy.
History
At the bend in a cobbled lane in Sarlat-la-Canéda, the Hôtel de Gisson stands out as an elegant demonstration of the taste of the Périgord dress bourgeoisie at the turn of the Renaissance. Built in the 16th century, this mansion is a refined combination of two main buildings linked by a hexagonal stair tower, a central feature that immediately catches the eye and sets the building apart from the exceptional architectural panorama of Sarlat. What makes the Hôtel de Gisson truly unique is the preciousness of its sculpted details. The entrance door to the tower, with its basket-handle vaulting surmounted by a semi-circular arch supported by slender colonnettes, bears witness to a decorative vocabulary still steeped in the Flamboyant Gothic style, even if the overall composition heralds the clarity of the Renaissance. Pinnacles and kale, some of which have survived, bear witness to the rich original ornamentation typical of homes built for families attached to their social prestige. The terrace in front of the main buildings, embellished with a fine wrought-iron gate, adds a note of distinction while creating a transitional space between the street and the privacy of the residence. This architectural arrangement, which was both functional and representative, was typical of magistrates' residences that sought to display their social status without vulgar ostentation. To visit the Hôtel de Gisson is to immerse yourself in the hushed atmosphere of Renaissance Sarlat, a town whose medieval and Renaissance urban fabric is so remarkably well preserved that it constitutes one of the most coherent architectural ensembles in the Périgord Noir. The monument can be discovered on a stroll through the narrow streets of the old town, listed as one of the most beautiful in France.
Architecture
The plan of the Hôtel de Gisson is typical of Périgord mansions built during the Renaissance: two separate buildings, linked and articulated by a hexagonal staircase tower, which is the most remarkable and original feature of the ensemble. This hexagonal shape, less common than the round or square tower, gives the residence an instantly recognisable silhouette in Sarlat's urban landscape. The main decorative feature of the building is the entrance door to the tower. The basket-handle arch, typical of the late Gothic and early Renaissance periods, is surmounted by an accolade arch - a characteristic motif of the Flamboyant Gothic period - and framed by finely sculpted columns. Pinnacles and chou frisé, late Gothic ornaments of which some vestiges remain, originally completed a densely-packed decorative iconography, testifying to the skills of Périgord stonemasons in the 16th century. This ornamental vocabulary, at the crossroads between Gothic and Renaissance, is emblematic of a period of artistic transition when the two idioms often coexisted harmoniously. In front of the main buildings is a terrace of unequal height, set off by a wrought-iron gate that is also a quality heritage feature. Warm, luminous Périgord limestone is the dominant building material, as in almost all Sarlat buildings. The soberly ordered facades feature mullioned bays and openings typical of Renaissance civil architecture in south-western France.
Related Figures
Famille de Gisson — lignée de magistrats sarladais, propriétaires et commanditaires de l'hôtelCharles IX — roi de France sous le règne duquel les Gisson obtinrent leurs charges au Présidial de SarlatHenri II — roi sous lequel furent institués les Présidiaux en France (1552), dotant Sarlat d'une juridiction royale
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Hôtel de Gisson located?
Hôtel de Gisson is located in Sarlat-la-Canéda, Dordogne department, Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, France.
When was Hôtel de Gisson built?
Hôtel de Gisson dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Hôtel de Gisson open to visitors?
Hôtel de Gisson is currently closed to visitors.