Maison des Vallenet, Historical house in Aubusson, France.
Maison des Vallenet is a stone house on Grande Rue in Aubusson, facing Place de la Libération. It has two adjoining two-storey wings: the narrower north side runs along the street, while the west side centres on a hexagonal stair tower with a low-arched door and a pepper-pot roof. A smaller corner turret with a dome roof stands to the south.
Construction began at the end of the 15th century, carried out in part by members of the Vallenet family, a noble family of the Marche settled in the province since the 14th century. Further parts date from the 16th and 17th centuries, partly using materials recovered after the 1632 demolition of the Chapitre castle ordered by Richelieu. The last notable works were done in the 18th century.
The Vallenet were merchants whose fortune came from tapestry, and the family name is tied to Aubusson's weaving trade: a Vallenet served as consul in 1521, another as castle captain in 1577. The house stands on the Grande Rue, the town's commercial artery, still lined with old houses. In front of it, the Fontaine des Vallenet, dated 1718, carries the arms of the town and of the viscounts of Aubusson.
The house stands on Grande Rue, facing Place de la Libération, in central Aubusson. The Fontaine des Vallenet, dated 1718, is immediately in front of the facade. The building is a monument historique inscrit but not open as a museum; it is viewed from the public street.
A polygonal fountain stands in front of the property, displaying the coats of arms of both Aubusson and its regional viscounts. This carved work is a rare example of how local power relationships were expressed through public monuments.
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