Maison du Chamarier, Renaissance mansion in Vieux Lyon, France
Maison du Chamarier is a late 15th-century townhouse in Vieux Lyon featuring a Gothic spiral staircase, Renaissance-style wells, and decorated galleries along its facade. The building now contains a pastry shop on the ground floor, with the upper levels closed to visitors following restoration efforts that began in the early 2000s.
The mansion was built in 1498 upon foundations dating back to the 13th century. François d'Estaing commissioned extensive reconstruction between 1496 and 1516, transforming the structure into its current form.
The name Chamarier comes from the Latin word for chamberlain, referring to a financial officer who managed the city's resources and had authority over important locations. This position reflected significant power within Lyon's medieval administration.
The building sits on Rue Saint-Jean in Vieux Lyon, easily reached on foot from the riverfront area. The pastry shop on the ground floor is accessible to visitors, but the upper floors remain closed to the public for now.
The entrance tower displays a blend of Gothic and Renaissance architectural details with pointed turret canopies. This mixing of styles reveals how building designs evolved during this period of transition.
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