At the top of rue La Vaulx you will find a small timber house clad in wooden slats dating back to the 17th century.
The house originally had a thatched roof, a fact that is hinted to by its steep gable. In the late 18th century the house belonged to Jean Vinette, a humble carpenter. He could hardly have guessed that his name would be known down to our day.
What could have made this building worth preserving and restoring ?
Vinette House was the seat of a popular general movement that exploded on 16 January 1797 while Malmedy was under French occupation. It testifies to the discontent of a whole population at the provocations inflicted by their French occupiers who attacked centuries’ old moral and religious convictions, even going so far as forbidding the public offering of the last rites to ill persons.
On 16 January 1797, Jean Vinette’s daughter, Marie-Thérèse who was seriously ill was going to have the last sacrament administered to her in secret.
Anger rose among the local population who, ignoring the religious restrictions imposed by the French, marched in procession along with the curate towards the sick girl’s house. Once Marie Vinette had been ministered to, everyone returned to work.
Nowadays, saved from ruin and completely restored, this tiny house is home to a pretty museum, which measuring just 16m2 reproduces the interior of popular 18th century home.
