The Calefactory

Historic site and monument

Image illustrative — © Libre de droit - BIT Crémieu

Mairie
5 place de la Nation-Charles de Gaulle
38460 Crémieu

The primary function of this room was to heat the convent using the massive fireplace located to the left of the entrance. It was also here that meals were prepared for the refectory, which is now the town hall’s entrance hall.

This room served to heat the convent via the monumental fireplace located to the left
of the entrance, as well as to prepare the meals that were served in the refectory—now the entrance hall of the
town hall. This heating room was built in the first half of the 16th century. It is covered by four ribbed vaults
that meet at a central pillar. Each keystone is different. Opposite the entrance, on the right, the
first keystone features a faded coat of arms. Next, a second keystone is shaped like a cabbage; to the left of it, you
can again make out a faded coat of arms, and near the fireplace, a fourth keystone is decorated
with four carved cherub heads. The current fireplace bears the date 1606. Extensive renovations were
carried out in this room, particularly in the 19th century, to adapt it to its new function
as a magistrate’s court from the time of the Revolution until 1960.