Initial construction Moyen Âge (≈ 1125)
Medieval building with Gothic fireplace.
XVIIIe siècle
Major transformations
Major transformations XVIIIe siècle (≈ 1850)
Classic openings and interior rearrangement.
26 février 1987
Registration Historic Monument
Registration Historic Monument 26 février 1987 (≈ 1987)
Official protection of the building and its elements.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
City hall (former) and prison (case AO 163): registration by order of 26 February 1987
Key figures
Information non disponible - No character cited
The source text does not mention any historical actors.
Origin and history
The former Town Hall and prison of Oloron-Sainte-Marie is an emblematic monument whose construction spanned between the Middle Ages and the 18th century. The building, rectangular in plan, has hybrid architectural features: geminous windows typical of the medieval period alongside 18th century openings. The East façade, on the other hand, was profoundly altered when it was used as a prison, reflecting the functional adaptations suffered by the building over the centuries.
Inside, the top floor retains a Gothic fireplace, partially renovated in the 18th century to adapt to the tastes of the era. This detail illustrates the superposition of styles and uses, between medieval heritage and modern transformations. Ranked as a Historic Monument since 1987, the building now belongs to the municipality and reflects the evolution of municipal and prison institutions in the Béarn.
Located at 18 Cujax Street (or 23 Cujas Street depending on the sources), the monument enjoys a precise location, rated 8/10 for its reliability. Its listing in the inventory of Historic Monuments covers the entire building, including its protected interior elements. Although the information on its current accessibility (visits, rental) is not detailed, its communal status suggests a heritage and cultural vocation for the city of Oloron-Sainte-Marie.
