Maison rouge, Medieval house in central Chinon, France

Maison Rouge is a 14th-century house at 38 rue Voltaire, on the corner of the Grand Carroi. Its street facade has a ground floor, two upper floors and an attic, with horizontal bands of brick infill between dark timber beams. A wooden gallery with X-shaped balustrades projects at mid-height, and the southern gable is sheltered by a roof overhang called a capucine.

The building was constructed in the 14th century and officially recognized as a historical monument in 1926. This designation helped preserve the medieval structure for future generations.

The ground floor was originally divided into three separate shops, showing how medieval commerce and crafts were organized within Loire Valley town centers. This layout reveals the economic pulse that existed in such urban spaces during that era.

The house sits on the main street running through Chinon from west to east, providing easy access to several nearby medieval buildings. Its central location makes it a natural stopping point when exploring the historic old town.

The facade's horizontal bands, with X-shaped balustrades and projecting sills, are rare in Touraine, where timber-framed houses usually stress vertical lines. The southern gable is shielded by a roof overhang locals call a capucine, after a monk's hood. The name contrasts with the nearby Maison bleue.