A Former Courthouse in Joigny, France - €585,000
The property is made up of three separate sections standing around an inner courtyard. The edifice was erected in the early 19th century and boasts the solemn architecture typical of the era’s public institutions. The main façade, made of dressed limestone, overlooks a wide flight of stone steps leading up to an immense double-leaf door. Moulded capitals frame the door, above which there is a cornice topped by a semi-circular opening in which there is a large fanlight window. The triangular pediment atop the central avant-corps is adorned with an allegorical high relief depicting a female figure that is most likely Themis, who was the incarnation of justice during the Greek Antiquity. On both sides of the building, the façades are punctuated with tall, vertical, brick-framed windows, topped with semi-circular fanlight windows, reminiscent of the central opening on the pediment. The Ferrand chapel adjoining the northern end of the courthouse is a precious reminder of Joigny’s religious heritage. It was built in 1530 and used as a family funeral chapel before being incorporated into the courthouse in the 19th century. o the west, another building connects with the courthouse and was formerly the court administration and magistrates’ offices. With the appearance of a townhouse, this two-storey building is today used for residential purposes.
