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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Hotel de Galy is a private hotel located in Millau, Aveyron, Occitanie region. It consists of two distinct buildings: one, to the north, along right street, and the other, to the south, forming an open L on Emma-Calvé Square. The oldest building, the North, features a restored 12th century Romanesque portal, segmental arcades and arched windows in the middle of the hanger or in a braided lintel. This portal, in the middle of a two-roller hanger with columns, is similar to the medieval bays of the Church of Our Lady of Millau. It opens onto a vaulted corridor leading to a staircase, a recurring model in local architecture as at the Poule and Fox Hotel.

The second building, at the back, houses a monumental 17th century staircase, remodeled in the 20th century (1930s and 1980s), with doric pilasters, crawling balusters and a lion carved at its top. This staircase, initially opened as evidenced by the traces of arcades superimposed on the east facade, serves the upper levels. The vaulted crib cellar and the rooms covered with dogive vaults suggest a medieval origin, with transformations in the 14th and 15th centuries. The site, acquired by Baron de Galy, became a girls' school in 1826, entrusted to nuns, before becoming a public school after secularization.

The hotel, which was ceded to the city of Millau in 1826 by the parish priest of Notre-Dame, M. Mas, was transformed into a school, resulting in the partial demolition of the south house body and the obstruction of loggias. Only the northeastern part retains a marked archaeological interest. Ranked a historic monument in 1978 for its northern façade, Romanesque portal, vaulted corridor and staircase, it now houses the premises of the Communauté des Communes. Its 12th century portal, close to the tower of the kings of Aragon, evokes the wealth of its first owners.

Successive changes, especially in the twentieth century, have incorporated modern administrative buildings, while preserving medieval and classical elements. The Louis XIII staircase, initially opened, and the obstructed arcades recall the functional adaptations of the place, from aristocratic residence to school, then to institutional headquarters. Blue limestone cut stones and mute vault keys bear witness to ancient constructive techniques, while doric balusters and pilasters illustrate the classic 17th century influence.

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