Hôtel Boyer de Fonscolombe
Hôtel particulier in Aix-en-Provence, France
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Hôtel Boyer de Fonscolombe is a listed hôtel particulier in Aix-en-Provence. It houses the Institut de Management Public et Gouvernance Territoriale of Aix-Marseille University.
| Hôtel Boyer de Fonscolombe | |
|---|---|
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 Interactive map of the Hôtel Boyer de Fonscolombe area | |
| General information | |
| Type | Hôtel particulier |
| Location | 21, Rue Gaston de Saporta, Aix-en-Provence, France |
| Current tenants | Aix-Marseille University |
| Owner | French state |
Location
It is located 21, Rue Gaston de Saporta (formerly known as the rue de la Grande Horloge) in Aix-en-Provence.[1][2][3]
History
It was built as two separate houses for the Roman Catholic archbishopry, as it is next door to the Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur.[1]
In the sixteenth century, it was purchased by two families: a baker, and the de Rascas family.[1] In 1635 and in 1642, Charles de Grimaldi-Régusse (1612–1687) purchased the two townhouses and merged them into one.[1] (He also lived in the Hôtel de Grimaldi-Régusse, another hôtel particulier located at 26, rue de l'Opéra in Aix.) In the eighteenth century, his descendants sold the hotel to the Forbin La Barben family.[1]
In 1743 (shortly before his death), Honoré Boyer de Fonscolombe (1683–1743) inherited it from his sister.[1][4] His son Léon-Baptiste-Laurent de Fonscolombe inherited it and restored it.[1] For example, in 1757 he restored the facade.[3] In 1821, the parents of Gaston de Saporta (1823–1895) inherited it, and he grew up there, as did his son, writer Antoine de Saporta (1855–1914).[1] Later, the de Saporta family sold it to the de Vitrolles family, who rented it.[1]
It was purchased by the French state in 1950, and it was assigned to the Ministry of National Education in 1955.[1] It has been used by Aix-Marseille University since 1965.[1]
Inside it has paintings ceilings and gypseries.[3] It also displays paintings by Nicolas Pinson (1636–1681) and Esprit Antoine Gibelin (1739–1813).[1]
Heritage significance
It has been listed as a monument historique since 1989.[1]
