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
- 44.322, 3.06901
- Access
- Maison de Jeanne is at 10 rue de Belvezet in the medieval quarter of Sévérac-d’Aveyron. Its interior was offered to visitors during the scheduled 2026 historical presentation; that season ended August 26. No regular walk-in house hours or later reopening dates are currently published. The exterior is on a public medieval lane; do not enter private property.
- Admission
- There is no separate house ticket listed. The 2026 presentation was included with Château de Sévérac admission: €8 adult (age 12+), €5 child age 6–11 or reduced, and €26 for two adults plus two paying children; this 2026 event has ended. Confirm next season’s dates and price with the tourism office.
- Time needed
- The 2026 Maison de Jeanne presentation lasted 45 minutes. This is the event duration, not a published duration for an independent house visit; no current independent interior visit is listed.
- Best season
- The only current official visitor schedule found was a summer event on Wednesdays from July 15 to August 26, 2026. The season has ended and no future dates are posted; confirm before planning an interior visit.
- Opening hours
- No routine daily public hours are published for the house. In 2026 it opened for 45-minute presentations on Wednesdays at 11:30, 15:00 and 17:15 from July 15 through August 26; that schedule is over.
- Location checked
- 2026-09-29
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-08
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