The historic features of the house include murals dating back as far as the 13th century and a 15th century ceiling with original hidden paintings. The house has two fireplaces of note, including one in the Grand Salle (Louis XV - 18th Century) and another, possibly of earlier construction, in what is now the kitchen. Originally owned by the Abbey, some form of accommodation may have stood on this site since as early as the 8th century. A pillar at the front of the house features stone carvings of the faces of the 14th century owner and his wife, together with a coat of arms carved in the ancient wooden beam above. The large door at the main entrance to the house dates from the 15th Century and is similar to others that can be seen in historic buildings around the region.
While the village of
Lagrasse is classified
as a "Monument Historique" the
external
facade of the
Maison Maynard (everything
below the balcony) has
an additional
classification,
thus protecting the carved
pillar and wooden beam,
which are featured
in
many guide books of the
region.
The recently completed
renovations revealed
an
ancient Gothic style stone
arch in the
kitchen and
additional murals in the
Grand
Salle. A team of
French Government
authorized
professional restorers
was
engaged during 2003
and 2004 to clean, restore
and protect the murals.
This work has now been
completed. Initial work
on the ceiling in the
Grand Salle included reparation
of various damaged areas
and replacement of the
decorative corbels, six
of which had earlier been
removed. Future work will
involve possible retrieval
of some of the many small
paintings that exist on
wood panels in the ceiling.
One, a painting of an
angel holding a shield,
can clearly be seen on
a ceiling section
next to the fireplace.
