Archive · 22 May 2025
France's Oldest House: A Medieval Marvel
Imagine a house in France that's been around since the 1300s!
That's the Maison de Jeanne, also known as the House of Joan, possibly the oldest house in France.
It's in a quiet town and has a special design: the first floor is small, and the upper floors are bigger.
This was because taxes were based on how much land the first floor took up.
The house was built with a mix of dirt, straw, and water.
The house has a cellar, and it's been renovated to keep it strong.
Now, you can even visit and learn about the past through tours.
The Maison de Jeanne, dating back to the 1300s, is potentially the oldest house in France.
Located in Sévérac-le-Château, the house showcases unique medieval architecture.
The house's inverted structure was designed to minimize tax burdens.
Constructed with cob, the house highlights the resourcefulness of the era.
Renovations in 2019 preserved the historical integrity of the house.
- Who
- The Maison de Jeanne, also known as the House of Joan, its last known resident being an artist named Jeanne.
- What
- A medieval house in Sévérac-le-Château, France, potentially the oldest house in France, offering a glimpse into medieval life.
- When
- Dating back to the 1300s.
- Where
- Located in Sévérac-le-Château, Aveyron, France.
- Why
- The house was built with an inverted structure to minimize taxes, showcasing resourcefulness in the medieval era.
- Estimated Construction
- 1300s
- Location
- Sévérac-le-Château, Aveyron
- Unique Feature
- Inverted structure (smaller ground floor, larger upper floors)
- Construction Materials
- Cob (subsoil, straw, water, lime)
- Public Access
- Medieval-themed events in July and August
- Recent Work
- Renovated in 2019