Maison de Martinas, AKA House of the Three Hanged Men

Historic site and monument

14 rue du Marché Vieux
38460 Crémieu

Built between the 13th and 16th century, this is one of the town's oldest houses. Listed since 1926, the facade features a tripartite window above which the middle pediment is decorated by a fire-breathing beast and capitals sculpted into heads.

This very distinctive architecture has given rise to a few legends, the most famous being that about the Ropemaker who is said to have owned this house. He had two daughters, who invited their admirers to the house in their father's absence. But he returned unexpectedly and, in a fit of rage, decided to get even and save his daughters' honour by hanging the two young men. Unfortunately, one of them was the son of a lord who, in turn, enraged by pain and anger, had the ropemaker hanged.