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Origin and history

The ancient archbishopric of Auch, today the Gers prefecture hotel, finds its origins in the 12th century when Archbishop Raymond II of Auch had a palace built on the present site, including a tower (d)Armagnac and outbuildings such as sacristies and a prison. This first medieval building was partially preserved despite subsequent reconstructions, including underground elements such as a chapel attributed to Bishop Jean Flandrin (1378-1390) and a fragment of Romanesque capitular hall.

In 1602, Archbishop Léonard de Trappes undertook to extend the palace to the convent of the Preachers, with the agreement of the municipality. A century later, in 1705, Augustin de Maupeou launched a major reconstruction by entrusting the plans to the architect Jean-Baptiste Alexandre Le Blond. Maupeou's death in 1712 temporarily interrupted the work, taken over by the acquisition of adjacent land (rue Saint-Taurin in 1744, nearby houses in 1749). The site finished between 1750 and 1770, giving the palace its present facade decorated with Corinthian pilasters.

From 1800, the building was reassigned to prefecture, courts and accommodation for a senator, before the 1817 concordat (applied in 1823) restored a part to the restored archdiocese. Ranked Historic Monument in 1930 for the building and in 1944 for its terraced garden overlooking the Gers valley, it preserves 18th century interiors, such as the large reception hall and prefectural apartments. The basements, ground floor and first floor were converted into offices, mixing religious heritage and administrative use.

The architecture reflects this duality: the court of honour, marked by Corinthian pilasters, contrasts with the medieval remains of the basements. The garden, inscribed separately, highlights the integration of the palace into the urban landscape of Auch, while the modifications of the nineteenth century (partial recast of facades) testify to its adaptation to modern needs. A departmental property, it illustrates the evolution of ecclesiastical and civil powers in southwestern France.

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