Maison des Loups, Caylus, Medieval monument in Caylus, France

Maison des Loups is a 13th-century stone house on Rue Droite in Caylus, its facade built of rough grey and brown blocks. Three arched openings with grey paneled doors and windows fill the ground level; above, two levels each hold two tall rectangular windows in pointed arched recesses, with dark wooden frames and light curtains. A sculpted animal projects from the upper right corner.

The house dates from the early 13th century. Its renown comes from the abundance of carved decoration on the upper floor, on either side of the two damaged windows. The facade was classified as a monument historique in 1921.

The house displays medieval craftsmanship typical of the region, with its carved stonework showing techniques used by local artisans of that era. Walking past it helps you understand how people built and decorated their homes in this part of France during medieval times.

The interior remains private, but you can view the exterior and carved stonework from the street at any time during the year. It is easy to reach on foot and requires no entrance fee to examine the facade.

The earliest known image of the house is an 1853 engraving published by John Henry Parker. It shows the two first-floor windows with their stone tracery fully intact, though it is unknown whether the drawing matched the building as it then stood. The windows are now damaged.