Hôtel de Boisgelin

Commissioned in 1650 by order of King Louis XIV, the Hôtel de Boisgelin was born from Archbishop Michel Mazarin’s vision to expand the city southwards. Designed by architects Pierre Pavillon and Jean-Claude Rambot, it rose on land once owned by the Order of Saint John of Malta.

Built as a residence for noble families of Aix, this magnificent townhouse echoes the elegance of Parisian architecture, in the spirit of the Marais district. Its courtyard and garden embody classical refinement.

Constructed entirely from Bibémus stone — the very quarry where Cezanne found inspiration — the building glows with warm ochre and amber tones. It took three full years to complete this architectural masterpiece.

Inside, painted ceilings and intricate plaster reliefs add to its splendour. On the north side, the courtyard is framed by orangeries and carriage houses with grand basket-handle arches. To the east, a finely carved doorway leads to a stunning staircase of polychrome marble, added in 1875 and inspired by Versailles.

Still privately owned by the same family, the Hôtel de Boisgelin once played host to the love affair of iconic actors Alain Delon and Mireille Darc.

Its timeless charm has also caught the eye of filmmakers — featured in The Horseman on the Roof (2005) by Jean-Paul Rappeneau, and more recently in A View of Love (2009) by Nicole Garcia, starring Jean Dujardin.

It is located at Place des 4 Dauphins.