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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The town hall of Albi is a building built in the seventeenth century, as evidenced by the date of 1682 engraved on the pediment of the staircase door. Originally, it was a mansion owned by Étienne de Martin, transformed into a common house in 1728. Prior to that date, the town hall had been established since 1397 in the quarry of the Sabaterie, another district of the city. The 18th-century adjustments profoundly altered the original structure, making it difficult to read the original provisions.

The entrance gate, in the middle of the hanger, is decorated with pilasters and hopper bosses, although the latter have been largely restored. Above, an entablement supports a painting with the coat of arms of the city, framed by ailerons and garlands. The inner courtyard, accessible by a brick arch, leads to a staircase whose door has a mulled frame and a broken circular pediment, decorated with allegorical sculptures (winged persons, horns of abundance). The facades mix bricks and stone, typical of Albige architecture.

The building was listed as historic monuments on 21 June 1971 for its facades and roofs, both on street and courtyard. Owned by the municipality, it preserves baroque elements such as the carved sills of the windows on the first floor. Its current location, at 22 Rue des Penitents, makes it a witness to the urban and political evolution of Albi, between medieval heritage (common house) and classical modernization (reconverted mansion).

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