Immeuble
MonumentHidden Treasure
Immeuble, located in Vendôme (Loir-et-Cher), 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
- Vendôme, Loir-et-Cher, Centre-Val de Loire
- Visit
- Closed to visitors
- GPS
- 47.7914, 1.0661
- Mérimée Reference
- PA00098640
A silent remnant of medieval Vendôme, this 15th-century building combines two houses under a single roof of old tiles, eschewing corbelling to better emphasise its architectural uniqueness.
© Wikimedia Commons / Wikipedia
History
In the heart of old Vendôme, a royal town in the Loir-et-Cher region marked by centuries of Capetian and Valois history, this discreet building houses one of the rare medieval civil facades to have survived the successive changes of the centuries without losing its identity. Listed as a Historic Monument since 1940, it bears witness to the architectural vitality of a town that was long one of the crossroads of Loire trade. What immediately sets the building apart from the urban fabric of Vendôme is its refusal to be corbelled. Where neighbouring houses overhang the street, in keeping with the deep-rooted medieval tradition of Loire Valley towns, this building has a straight, almost solemn upper storey, giving it a firm, architecturally singular presence. This formal choice, rare in its immediate context, arouses the curiosity of the attentive observer. The building is the result of two separate houses merging under the same ridge line, a common phenomenon in 15th-century trading towns where owners and merchants sought to increase their living or working space. This synthesis can be seen in the slight rhythmic irregularities of the façade, subtle traces of an original duality that has now been reconciled. The roof, covered in old tiles, adds a rare touch of authenticity to the whole. These tiles, with their warm hues ranging from ochre to reddish-brown, are typical of the tile-making tradition in the Vendôme and Lower Maine regions, and help to establish the building as much in its region as in its time. For photographers and enthusiasts of vernacular heritage, they are in themselves a great subject for observation. To visit this building is to immerse yourself in the everyday architecture of the pre-industrial town, far removed from the flamboyant châteaux that often monopolise attention in the region. It is here that the ordinary and precious Vendôme - that of craftsmen, merchants and middle-class families - can be read between the stones.
Architecture
The architecture of this Vendôme building is in keeping with the tradition of the urban house of the late Middle Ages, as practised in the commercial towns of the Loire Valley and the Vendôme region. The building is made up of two main sections, originally separate, but now united under a single gable roof covered in old flat tiles in warm, weathered shades, an aesthetic signature that is immediately recognisable in the landscape of the old town. The most remarkable typological feature is the absence of corbelling on the upper storey. In the medieval tradition of the Loire and particularly of Vendôme, it was common practice to project the upper storeys above the street, a technique that made it possible to gain floor space while reducing the width of the foundations. In this case, the choice of a single storey overhanging the ground floor gives the facade a particular rigour and verticality, a deliberate break with the dominant local style. This architectural choice sets the building apart from its immediate neighbours. The materials used are those of the region: tufa stone or local limestone for the masonry structure, wood for the framework and joinery - some of which was probably renewed during the 18th century alterations - and traditional regional flat tiles for the roof. The overall tone and texture of the building today bear witness to the age of the materials and the care taken to preserve them over the centuries.
Related Figures
Comtes de Vendôme (seigneurs de la ville au XVe siècle, commanditaires indirects de l'essor urbain)Maison de Bourbon-Vendôme (héritiers du comté, moteurs du développement architectural vendômois)Pierre de Ronsard (poète né près de Vendôme en 1524, figure tutélaire de la culture locale)César de Bourbon, duc de Vendôme (fils naturel d'Henri IV, figure marquante de l'histoire locale au XVIIe siècle)Inspecteurs des Beaux-Arts (auteurs de la décision d'inscription en 1940, gardiens du patrimoine civil modeste)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Immeuble located?
Immeuble is located in Vendôme, Loir-et-Cher department, Centre-Val de Loire 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.