Maison des Têtes, Gothic private mansion in central Valence, France
Maison des Têtes is a private mansion built in Valence during the early 1530s with an unusually decorated stone facade. Its walls are covered with carved stone heads representing concepts like fortune, time, theology, law, and medicine.
The house was built by Antoine de Dorne, a professor and local leader of Valence, who shaped its design after traveling in Italy. His journeys inspired him to bring southern architectural forms and artistic ideas into this residence.
The mansion displays a mix of late Gothic and early Renaissance styles that shows how these two artistic approaches came together during the 16th century. The sculptured heads adorning its facade reveal what mattered to educated and wealthy people of that era, from fortune to learning.
The site is centrally located and easy to reach on foot when moving around downtown Valence. Visitors can explore exhibitions about the town's history and join guided tours to learn more about the architecture and its details.
The house originally had three ornamental doors leading to the garden, with one now kept in Valence's museum. This preserved door shows the craftsmanship and artistic details that builders incorporated into every element of the home.
Location: Valence
Architectural style: Gothic architecture
Address: 57 Grande Rue
GPS coordinates: 44.93190,4.89083
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:41
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...
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