Maison mauresque de Valence, Moorish residence in Valence, France
The Maison Mauresque in Valence is a residence with oriental architecture, displaying geometric patterns, horseshoe arches, and flowing arabesques across its asymmetrical facade. The ground floor uses cut stone construction while upper levels feature molded concrete plates.
The house was built between 1858 and 1886, during a period when French artists traveled to North Africa seeking architectural inspiration for their designs. These journeys shaped a movement of architects who incorporated oriental elements into their European works.
The residence reflects how 19th-century French architects drew from North African and Middle Eastern styles and blended them into their own designs. This fascination with the Orient shows in every detail visitors can observe today.
The building sits in central Valence and is easy to reach on foot. The outer facade can be fully viewed from the street, making it simple to study the architectural details and stonework.
The house merges traditional Moorish design elements with molded concrete, a material developed in the Grenoble area during the early 1800s and later used across Europe. This combination of old style and modern building technique shows how transitional construction worked.
Location: Valence
GPS coordinates: 44.93405,4.89072
Latest update: December 6, 2025 19:04
Valence preserves architecture from several centuries, from medieval religious buildings to Renaissance homes. The Cathedral Saint-Apollinaire dates from the 11th century and shows Romanesque construction, while the Maison des Têtes draws visitors with its sculpted 16th-century facade. Place des Clercs forms the heart of the old town, surrounded by shops and cafés. The Valence Museum sits in a former episcopal palace and displays collections of regional history and art. The city connects historic districts with parks and gardens along the Rhône River. Parc Jouvet offers shaded paths and views over the valley, while the Peynet Bandstand is a popular meeting place. The Mistral Bridge links both river banks and provides views of the surroundings. Along Grande Rue and neighboring streets, you find shops, markets, and restaurants. The Saint-Jean Church, the Maison Mauresque with oriental architecture, and the Valence-Ville train station show different architectural styles. Public squares like Champ de Mars and Aristide Briand Square serve as gathering places for locals and visitors.
Valence-Ville railway station
687 m
Valence Cathedral
284 m
Maison des Têtes
239 m
Parc Jouvet, Valence
598 m
Kiosque Peynet
554 m
Pendentif de Valence
252 m
Champ de Mars
562 m
Frédéric Mistral bridge
610 m
Église Saint-Jean-Baptiste
86 m
Fontaine monumentale
474 m
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Valence
280 m
Saint-Ruf
104 m
Maison Dupré-Latour
201 m
Valence city hall
283 m
Armenian Heritage Center of Valence
370 m
Notre-Dame de Soyons
290 m
Temple Saint-Ruf
104 m
Chapelle des Capucins de Valence
174 m
Chapelle des Cordeliers de Valence
204 m
Valence war memorial
536 m
Building of the Savings Bank of Valence
495 m
LUX - Scène nationale de Valence
505 m
Synagogue de Valence
260 m
Église Maranatha des Frères spirituels de Valence
217 m
Théâtre de la Ville
159 m
Buste de Théodore Jouvet, Valence
493 m
Hôtel de Pampelonne
145 m
Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-Soyons de Valence
294 mReviews
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What a surprising architecture right in the city center!
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