A Renaissance gem: the Trois Nourrices residence
© Gilles Deshamps
Religious architecture is not the only characteristic of Medieval Narbonne. Come and explore the Bourg quarter on the other side of the canal
Starting at the Town Hall, cross the house-lined Pont des Marchands, reminiscent of the Ponte-Vecchio in Venice, and head southwards towards the Hôtel Dieu. At 8 rue de Luxembourg, the facade of the Logis des vâches is recognisable by its two-light windows. It was never a stable though, but a famous 15th century inn. “Vache” here is a deformation of the word “bâche”, meaning tarpaulin.
Five large-bosomed caryatids
Just around the corner from the gates of Saint-Paul and Perpignan, another gem awaits: the Renaissance front of the Maison des Trois-Nourrices (1558). In this case, the designation has been inspired by the caryatids’ large bosoms: hence the reference to nourrice, or nurse. On the most ornate of the two stone carved mullioned and transomed windows, there are in fact five of these opulent figures. They escaped the grasp of a collector when the house was purchased by Louis Berthomieu, great nephew of Paul Tournal and the saviour of narbonnais heritage.
The price of cloth and poetry
On Place des Quatre-Fontaines, the Cloth Exchange (Bourse au Drap), recognisable by its three Gothic windows, is a reminder of the drapery trade which made the fortune of the city. It is also called Maison des Inquants, after the criers who fixed the cloth prices. On your way, notice the Maison du Consulat, now occupied by a florist, where the town dignitaries used to gather, before their assembly was transferred to the Archbishops’ Palace en 1852. The poet Pierre Reverdy lived close by, in rue Benjamin Crémieux.Return to the Town Hall by way of rue du Pont-des-Marchands, paved with Caunes-Minervois marble.
Contact us
Un bijou de la Renaissance : la maison des «Trois Nourrices»
Rue des Trois Nourrices
11100 Narbonne
E-mail contact
See the access map
La Résidence
Discover
Chez Bébelle
Discover
Méli-Mélo
Discover
LA TABLE SAINT CRESCENT
Discover
Topic : Art and cultural heritage
Published on : 2008/06/17
Tags : renaissance gem the trois nourrices residence
Lorena Viel said :
Bonjour,
je voulais vous signaler une faute dans le texte de Narbonne: Depuis l’hôtel de ville, franchissez le pont des Marchands, couvert d’habitations et évoquant le Ponte-Vecchio de Florence (pas à Venise).
Bonnes fêtes.
Lorena
Posted il y a 1606 jours
Your opinion on this gem
Your comments, your rating.
Got a question, something to add or correct ?
Leave a message for the author.