Demeure Chamoncel, Renaissance house in Saint-Étienne, France.
Demeure Chamoncel is a Renaissance residence with three stories and a covered passageway on the right side that leads to a spiral staircase and interior courtyard. The building combines Gothic-style windows with Renaissance decorative details, including carved medallions and coffered ceilings throughout its rooms.
A timber beam on the first floor is dated to 1547, coinciding with the death of King Francis I and reflecting the monarchy's influence over the region at that time. The residence was built during an era when Saint-Étienne experienced growing prosperity through mining and craftwork under royal authority.
The house reflects Renaissance ideals through its decorative medallions and coffered ceilings, expressing the tastes and connections to Italian art that wealthy residents valued in the 16th century. These details show how local families displayed their status and education through architectural choice.
The residence sits in Saint-Étienne's old district and is easy to reach on foot, with clear sightlines from the surrounding streets. Access is typically available during special heritage events, so visitors should check ahead to confirm when viewing is possible.
The building is constructed from coal-bearing sandstone quarried locally, a material choice that ties the structure directly to Saint-Étienne's heritage as a mining region. This stone reflects how 16th-century builders integrated local resources into their architectural designs.
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