Oriel Houses

In Rouffach, several oriel houses reflect a rich architectural heritage. On rue des Bouchers, a late Renaissance-style residence built in 1663 by merchant Jean Sohn and his wife Marie-Madeleine Klopp still bears its construction date despite the coats of arms being defaced during the Revolution. At 11 rue Raymond Poincaré stands the former house of the Teutonic Order, also late Renaissance style, now occupied by the Saint-Joseph Institution. This building, erected in the 17th century, was acquired by the Order in 1718 to escape the cramped conditions of its original commandery on rue de la Gendarmerie. Also on rue Raymond Poincaré, at number 17, a patrician house is distinguished by an oriel dated 1590. Its outbuildings housed in the 19th century the workshops of the famous organ builders Rabiny-Callinet (1785-1872). On rue de la Demi-Lune, the former inn "À la Demi-Lune," built in 1620, preserves a beautiful oriel adorned with its original sign. Finally, on rue de la Gendarmerie, the Teutonic Order commandery, built in 1533, was modified in 1603 with the addition of a central oriel bearing the Order's coat of arms, flanked by commanders' heraldry. These coats of arms escaped revolutionary destruction thanks to administrator Aichelmann, who concealed them under boards.