Going, going, (almost) gone!

Some of the most interesting buildings have lost their shine. It is hard to see how magnificent they once were, and easy to see how soon they will be gone.

Our apartment is at 33 Rue Jean Bringer. At number 30, just down the road, is L’Hôtel de Franc de Cahuzac. The photo of its once impressive entrance is above.

Built in 1650, it was one of the finest hôtels particuliers in the town. Sadly, nowadays its windows are boarded up and the old stonework is rapidly decaying. The interior, no longer accessible, has two courtyards, open galleries and fine living quarters up a grand stone staircase. It has recently been sold, so I hope the new owners are able to succeed in saving it.

One of the problems with buildings such as these is that the authorities require any restoration to use materials and methods faithful to the historic original. Turning such buildings into useful modern dwellings is therefore extraordinarily costly, which postpones any profit from development for many years. I wish this building could be saved, but if wishes were horses… you know the rest.

Further up the Rue de Verdun (the main east-west axis of the old town) is the house of one of the leading lights of the city 300 years ago. This house has not fallen on such hard times, but one wonders what Antoine Rolland, its millionaire owner (even in 17th century “livres”), would make of having to enter his house between a tattoo parlour and another failed who-knows-what business. The courtyards inside are scruffy, but not past redemption.

Further back from the street, in the dépendance off the second courtyard, is an apartment for sale, if you fancy it.