Immeuble
Monument
Immeuble, located in Arras (Pas-de-Calais), 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
- Arras, Pas-de-Calais, Hauts-de-France
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 50.2929, 2.7809
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00108051
In the heart of Arras, this building, listed as a Historic Monument since 1919, embodies the architectural elegance of northern France, with its characteristic facades of brick and white Artois stone.
History
Arras, capital of the Artois region and architectural jewel of the Hauts-de-France region, boasts an exceptionally rich built heritage. Among the many buildings that make up the urban fabric of this city that has been battered and rebuilt over the centuries, this one occupies a singular place: listed as a Historic Monument on 15 September 1919, in the immediate aftermath of the Great War, its protection bears witness to the urgent need to safeguard what had survived the devastating bombardments of the conflict. The building is part of the architectural tradition of Arras, characterised by the subtle combination of red brick and white limestone quarried in the Artois region. This two-colour scheme, the visual signature of an entire region, lends the façades a sober elegance and plastic depth that are enhanced at all times of the day by the variations in northern light. The sculpted details, moulded cornices and elaborate window frames reveal the hand of master craftsmen. To come and admire this building is to plunge into several centuries of Arrage's urban history. The street that houses it tells the story of the city's great transformations: the periods of commercial prosperity that made Arras one of the capitals of Flemish tapestry and trade, the successive reconstructions after the wars that plunged the North into mourning, and finally the stubborn determination of the inhabitants to perpetuate a strong architectural identity. The experience of visiting the building is like strolling through an authentic Arras, far removed from the usual tourist routes. Contemplating this building from the street, observing the composition of its façade, understanding how it interacts with the surrounding buildings: these are all possible interpretations for the curious walker and the architecture enthusiast alike. The nearby Grands-Places and Place des Héros provide a monumental counterpoint that further enhances the tour. Protected as a Historic Monument, this building benefits from a strict conservation regime that guarantees the durability of its original architectural features. It is an indispensable link in the chain of Arras' urban heritage, contributing to the unique atmosphere that travellers feel as soon as they step onto the town's streets.
Architecture
The building is part of the civil architectural tradition of northern France, characterised by a remarkable mastery of the combination of brick and white limestone. The facade, laid out in accordance with the classical principles in force in the region between the 17th and 19th centuries, features a rigorous vertical composition: regular bays punctuated by pilasters or ashlar quoins, rectangular or segmental-arched windows framed by elaborate mouldings, and a cornice crowning the whole with an elegant profile. The roof, in the Artesian and Flemish tradition, is probably made of slate or flat tiles, with a steep slope, marked by worked dormers that give the building its characteristic picturesque profile. The interiors, although poorly documented, would have followed the typical layout of middle-class buildings in the region: an entrance hall leading to a grand staircase with wrought iron handrails, adjoining reception rooms on the street side with ceilings adorned with mouldings and medallions, and more sober service areas overlooking the courtyard. The interior woodwork - panelling, parquet flooring, marble or stone fireplaces - were all decorative elements that reflected the standing of the building and the taste of its patrons. The major architectural feature of this building undoubtedly lies in its ability to survive the destruction of the First World War, making it one of the rare authentic examples of pre-industrial architecture in Arras. This rarity, recognised as early as 1919 by the heritage authorities, gives every detail of its construction - the brickwork, the profile of the mouldings, the ironwork - an exceptional documentary and aesthetic value.
Related Figures
Joseph Lebon — représentant en mission révolutionnaire à Arras (1793-1794), dont le règne de terreur remodela la propriété foncière de la villeLouis XIV — dont le rattachement de l'Artois à la France en 1659 enclencha le renouveau architectural d'ArrasMaximilien de Robespierre — natif d'Arras (1758), dont l'ombre plane sur toute la mémoire urbaine de la citéEugène Viollet-le-Duc — théoricien de la restauration patrimoniale dont les préceptes guidèrent la politique de classement des immeubles survivants après 1918Paul Deschanel — président de la République sous lequel fut pris l'arrêté de classement du 15 septembre 1919
Tags
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Immeuble located?
Immeuble is located in Arras, Pas-de-Calais department, Hauts-de-France region, France.
When was Immeuble built?
Immeuble dates back to a period built during the Renaissance (16th century).
Is Immeuble open to visitors?
Immeuble is currently closed to visitors.