Eschif, Historical monument in Périgueux, France
The Eschif is a residential structure in Périgueux built on a narrow corbelled wall top and constructed with timber framing and wattle and daub infill. The building follows the line of the medieval city rampart and uses it as its supporting base.
The structure was built in 1347 as a strategic watchtower overlooking a toll bridge at the edge of the city. Over the centuries it transformed from a military observation post into a residential dwelling.
The house sits directly on the old city ramparts of Puy-Saint-Front, showing how medieval residents built homes on cramped fortified walls. Its timber frame and wattle construction was a practical solution for living in tight defensive spaces.
The house can be viewed from the exterior as it sits on the publicly accessible rampart of Puy-Saint-Front. The best views are available from street level where all the construction details are visible.
The house rests on a system of oak struts that shows how medieval craftspeople used timber to stabilize structures on narrow wall tops. This support system is a rare example of medieval engineering still visible today.
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