Joigny, Burgundy 89300

A 19th-century commercial court, in the historical downtown area of Joigny, within the greater Burgundy region. In the middle of the Saint-André neighbourhood, the former commercial court is located only a stone's throw away from the emblematic Place de la République, an immense cobblestone esplanade skirting the church, the latter of which gave its name to the neighbourhood, once populated by craftsmen and winemakers, and the true epicentre of medieval Joigny. Built over a stone foundation and topped with an interlocking tile gable roof, its main façade, facing east, stands out thanks to its symmetrical appearance and its understated and institutional neoclassical style. Accessible via a central staircase that ascends to wooden double doors topped with an arched glazed fanlight, on either side, windows repeat the same architectural style, while gently embossed window surrounds highlight their contours. As for its upper section, a moulded cornice sits atop a triangular pediment decorated with a bull's-eye window, whereas the central building is flanked by two wings, the southern one of which is a contemporary extension that once housed the commercial court's administrative offices. In addition, to the north, an inconspicuous gate leads to a small courtyard extended by an outdoor hallway that skirts the western part of the building, while a small two-storey outbuilding, abutting the courtyard of the former law courts and its chapel, listed as a national Historical Monument, represents an exterior storage area.