Every year in September, the city of Puy-en-Velay takes on its most beautiful Renaissance colours to make you relive a life-size 16th century. For the European Heritage Days, come and discover the Lower Town and its architecture typical of this era.
Located at the crossroads of pilgrimage and trade routes, Puy-en-Velay experienced a period of prosperity at the end of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The rich merchants then built mansions whose facades, richly decorated, testify to their social success. In the 16th century, the development of the city’s trade with Lyon and the South led to the diffusion of architectural models from the Italian Renaissance. At the end of the century, the notables, important merchants and the most prestigious craftsmen (drapers, silversmiths, lawyers, notaries, etc.) transformed their houses according to the taste of the day.

Appointment at the Office du tourisme du Puy > duration 1h > 3 possibilities to register: online ticket office of the museum // home of the Crozatier museum // home of the Office de tourisme du Puy-en-Velay