Hôtel d'Ourscamp, Medieval house in Le Marais, Paris, France.
Hôtel d'Ourscamp is a medieval residential building in Le Marais featuring stone construction and layout typical of 13th-century Paris. The structure contains a vaulted cellar below ground, a columned hall on the ground floor, three main stories, and a two-story attic section under the roof.
Cistercian monks from Notre-Dame d'Ourscamp Abbey received this land as a gift in 1248 and constructed their town house here for merchant trade. The building endured centuries of alterations and changes in use within one of Paris oldest districts.
The building now houses the Paris Historique Association, which organizes heritage talks and runs a bookstore focused on the city's history. Visitors can explore how this former merchant residence has become a hub for people interested in learning about their neighborhood's past.
Volunteers offer regular guided tours of the building including the medieval cellar and inner courtyard, accessed from François Miron Street. Visitors should check ahead for tour availability since this protected monument has limited and scheduled access.
The cellar features ribbed vaults typical of Gothic architecture, a structural technique rarely found in medieval civilian buildings across Paris. This engineering approach made the underground space stronger and more durable, which is why it has survived intact for centuries.
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