Maison de Bois, Classified historic house in Mâcon, France

Maison de Bois stands on rue Dombey in Mâcon, its right corner projecting forward on a stone base. Above the ground floor rise four levels divided by carved wooden posts, with ornate carved brackets on the second and third floors. Small rectangular windows pierce the dark timber frame over vertical wooden panels, and the top floor has rows of square openings.

Built between 1490 and 1510 on rue Dombey, the Maison de Bois is considered the oldest house in Mâcon. It was listed as a classified monument historique on 2 April 1920. Its corner juts forward on a stone base, with four upper levels of dark timber framing above the ground floor.

The house stands on rue Dombey, and its name is simply the French for "wooden house", taken from the dark timber frame that covers the facade above a stone base. The carved posts and brackets on the upper floors are the detail to look for from the street.

The building sits in the old town of Mâcon and is easily reached on foot, particularly if visited in the late afternoon when foot traffic is lighter. Nearby museums and other historical sites can be explored in combination with this location.

Many of the carved figures on the facade show humorous and playful scenes, revealing that medieval craftsmen brought wit and imagination to their work. This lighthearted and playful design was rather unusual for the time and suggests a patron with an open mind.