Maison de Jeanne: Visit One of France’s Oldest Houses
In 2017, a tourist snapped a photo of an ancient house in Aveyron, France, known for its unusual stacked appearance. This weathered old house quickly captivated internet audiences. Amateur historians soon asserted that this dwelling, dubbed the “Maison de Jeanne,” might be the oldest house in France. However, in recent years, officials from Aveyron have debunked this claim. While Maison de Jeanne, constructed in 1478, stands as one of the oldest houses in Aveyron, there are other contenders like the Maison Romane in Cluny, believed to be nearly a millennium old.
Maison de Jeanne might not hold the title of the oldest house in France, but its historical significance is undeniable. The house is named after an artist who once resided there. Its architecture is notable: a smaller lower level surmounted by a conspicuously larger top level. This design trend emerged in the late 1400s when taxation was based solely on the footprint of a house’s ground floor.
Historical records suggest that feed troughs once existed in Maison de Jeanne’s cellar. This implies that the home’s earliest inhabitants lived alongside livestock, a prevalent practice during the 15th century. When tax assessors came by, they were often met by the likes of cows, sheep, and chickens.
The house underwent a thorough renovation in 2018 and now welcomes visitors in July and August. Although the exterior post-renovation presents a fresher and more contemporary look, the distinctive top-heavy design remains preserved. A visit to Maison de Jeanne offers a glimpse into a time 300 years before the French Revolution.
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Maison de Jeanne, 10 rue de Belvezet, Sévérac-le-Château, Sévérac-d’Aveyron, France
- Coordinates
- 44.321968, 3.069141
- Access
- Maison de Jeanne is at 10 rue de Belvezet in the medieval quarter of Sévérac-d’Aveyron. The 2026 interior presentations ended August 26; no regular walk-in hours or later reopening dates are published. The lane is public, but do not enter the house outside an authorized visit.
- Admission
- The 2026 presentation listed €8 for ages 12+, €5 for ages 6–11 and reduced admission, free through age 5, and €26 for a family of two adults plus two paying children. These were event prices, not a standing entry fee; the season has ended.
- Time needed
- The 2026 schedule had a 75-minute slot (11:30–12:45) and two 45-minute slots (15:00–15:45 and 17:15–18:00). Those are presentation lengths, not a general independent visit duration.
- Best season
- The latest posted interior program was on Wednesdays from July 15 through August 26, 2026. It has ended and no 2027 dates are posted; confirm with the Sévérac tourism office.
- Opening hours
- No routine daily public hours are listed. Scheduled Wednesday presentations ran July 15–August 26, 2026 at 11:30–12:45, 15:00–15:45, and 17:15–18:00; that schedule is over.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-20
- Facts checked
- 2026-11-01
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