Cour des Chaînes

The central body of the building was built in 1594 by the Blech family, whose coat of arms still appears above the door. This magnificent Renaissance house backs onto the city wall, which can still be seen in the garden of scents. Adjacent to the façade, the elegant turret contains a spiral staircase. In 1675, the house was bought by J-J Sisson, the town treasurer, who undoubtedly had the remarkable painted ceilings of the first floor with their varied motifs executed: the thick scrolls of foliage shelter all sorts of flowers (sunflowers, passionflowers, etc.) and animals of different species (eagles, lions, stags, etc.). In 1773, J-M Schwartz buys the house and carries out works - addition of a side wing and rebuilding of the other - to make a factory of painted cloths. The name of the house dates back to this period, when chains closed the courtyard that opened onto the street. In the 19th century, the building was returned to residential use. Acquired by the City in 1979, it was restored in 1982.