Timeline

Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Cantal Prefecture Hotel, located in Aurillac between Monthyon and Transparots Street, is an iconic neoclassical building. Built between 1798 and 1811, it is the first building in France specifically designed to house a departmental prefecture. Its architecture is distinguished by a frontal forebody and a rotunda decorated with doric pilasters and a metopian frieze, reflecting the influence of ancient models adapted to modern administrative needs.

The construction took place in two phases: from 1800 to 1806 under the direction of engineer Lallie, and was completed in 1814 by engineer Demets. The interior is home to a remarkable Empire lounge, with a star-marked parquet flooring and a stucco box dome, a testament to the splendor of representation spaces under the First Empire. This monument, a symbol of post-revolutionary administrative centralization, has been listed as historical monuments since 11 October 2004.

The building occupies a central place in the urban planning of Aurillac, marking the affirmation of prefectural power in the department of Cantal. Its inscription specifically concerns the circular living room on the first floor, highlighting the heritage value of its interior decorations. The official contact information is located at 1 Place Claude Erignac, although the sources also mention the Monthyon Course and the Transparot Street as the boundaries of its right of way.

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