In spite of alterations, this house (_photo, p. 77_), with its pent-house roof, two overhanging storeys, windows crowned with finials, and sculptural decoration (_see carved console, p. 77_), was a well-preserved specimen of 15th century architecture.
_From the Place des Marchés, follow the Rue Colbert to the_ =Place Royale=.
[Illustration: BEFORE THE WAR _See text, page 75._]
[Illustration: AFTER THE WAR THE "MAISON FOSSIER," BEFORE AND AFTER THE WAR _See Itinerary, p. 61 (No. 5 of Explanatory Notes)._]
[Illustration: SEE TEXT. _p. 75_ RUINS OF THE "MAISON DE L'ENFANT D'OR" _Second house on the left, after the Rue des Elus. (See p. 77.)_]
[Illustration: THIS VERY CURIOUS 15TH CENTURY HOUSE STOOD IN THE MARKET-PLACE It was completely destroyed (_see p. 76._) THE "MAISON DE L'ENFANT D'OR," BEFORE THE WAR]
[Illustration: BRACKET OF THE "MAISON DE L'ENFANT D'OR," REPRESENTING SAMSON SLAYING THE LION]
[Illustration: THE PLACE ROYALE IN 1765 THE INAUGURATION OF THE STATUE OF "LOUIS LE BIENAIMÉ." _August 20, 1765; engraving by Varin. The original statue (by Pigalle) is in the middle of the Square._]
The Place Royale, which had previously suffered severely on September 19-22, 1914, was completely destroyed by fire, with the exception of the modern buildings of the Société Générale Bank, during the bombardment of April 8-15, 1918.
[Illustration: THE PLACE ROYALE IN 1918 _The plinth of the statue was protected by masonry-work._]
Commenced in 1756, from plans by the architect Legendre, it formed an oblong, of severe and imposing appearance, at the cross-ways of the four main streets of the City. In order to carry out Legendre's plans, forty-nine houses had to be acquired and pulled down. The Square remained unfinished, only three of its sides being built. The Louis XV.-XVI. transition style houses were of uniform construction, and were remarkable for their arcades and eaveless roofs, around which latter ran a balustrade. The central house (formerly the _Hôtel des Fermes_) had a Doric front with a statue of Mercury surrounded by children arranging bales or carrying grapes to the wine-press. A =statue of Louis XV.=, in the middle of the Square, was protected from the bombardments by masonry-work (_photos, p. 78 and below_).