Timber frame house, 6-8 Rue des Mârets, Heritage house in Wandre, Belgium

The Maison des Marêts at 6-8 Rue des Mârets is a 16th-century house whose eastern gable rises from two white-painted coal-sandstone levels. Above them, two jettied timber-framed levels form a dense pattern of horizontal and vertical beams and Saint Andrew's crosses: thirty-four small crosses and four larger ones lower down. The gable holds rows of windows, and a dark doorway with a plaque reading "38" opens at the base.

The half-timbered part of the house was dated by dendrochronology to 1524-1534. It was owned by the Rouveroy family, masters of coal mines from the 16th century, and was altered in the 18th century. It was restored between 2002 and 2004 and now holds two apartments. It has been listed since 1977 and as exceptional Walloon heritage since 2013.

The building reflects local craftsmanship traditions that residents valued as a mark of skilled carpentry and community identity. This construction method shaped how entire neighborhoods looked and how people recognized quality work.

The building is viewable from the street, where the timber frame structure is clearly visible and one can study the different construction techniques used. Those interested in understanding the interior can observe the arrangement and spacing of wooden elements from a good vantage point outside.

The wooden members are joined together without any metal fasteners, relying instead on precisely fitted wooden pegs to hold everything in place. This approach demonstrates how craftspeople saved materials while still creating structures that have lasted for centuries.