Today used as an artists' residence, Maison Gueffier is above all a vestige of the history of the city.
It is at the beginning of the XIXe century that the plan of the new city appears. The first buildings were then born from an adobe construction and typical architecture of the time. It is the director general of Ponts et Chaussées who recommends building barracks and housing for civil servants.
Built in 1807, Maison Gueffier is no exception to the rule! It is also the last building in the city to have been preserved in this form, because the other buildings have gradually been replaced by stone houses.
What is adobe?
Rammed earth is a masonry made of earth packed in layers superimposed in a formwork, without support of wood or straw.
The facade, on the esplanade side, is adorned with sculptures. There are the initials of Victor Clair, architect of the department and one of the previous owners.
The house owes its name to its last owner, André Gueffier (1900-1989), lawyer, politician and humanist.
The "Jardin des Latitudes", located opposite the Gueffier house has retained its original character and offers its gentle shade to walkers.
Acquired by the city in 1997, the house will subsequently be restored and opened to the public in September 2002. Today, it is managed by the Grand R national stage. It is dedicated to writing and literature, offers writing workshops and courses, hosting writers or even exhibitions. Indeed, Maison Gueffier is today an artists' residence.