Cour du Mortier D'or

The courtyard of the Mortier d'Or (golden mortar) is a perfect example of private courtyards hidden behind the doors of rich mansions in Troyes. Its gallery, its well, the beautiful porch giving on to the rue des Chats, the sculpted soldiers' heads decorating the beams' ends all give an idea of the wealth and power of the family to whom the house belonged. The many military references in its decoration make local historian Charles Fichot say that the owner must have held some important position in the army. The name of "golden mortar" seems to indicate the presence of a chemist nearby, such mortars being used to pound medical mixtures.