Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Maison du Patrimoine, formerly called "La Maison des Têtes", is a 17th century mansion located in Ollioules, Var. This building, emblematic of the bourgeois success of the modern era, was acquired in 1632 by Melchior Martinenq, lawyer, judge and consul of Ollioules. Its architecture and interior décor, combining classicism and mannerism, reflect the influence of the major urban mansions of the time. The Renaissance-inspired gypseries adorn the vestibule, monumental staircase and galleries, creating a striking contrast with the sobriety of its facade.

In 1994, after centuries of transmissions between private owners, the house was bought by the town of Ollioules in 1996, then transferred to the Communauté d'agglomeration Toulon Provence Méditerranée in 2007. Classified as a Historical Monument in 1998 (registration) and 2000 (partial classification), it underwent major restoration from 2018. Inaugurated in February 2020 as the Heritage Interpretation Centre, it opens to the public in July 2020, proposing an immersive journey on metropolitan history, from antiquity to the present.

The interior of the house is distinguished by its fabulous decorations: arches, false marbles, and eighty gypsy elements representing Roman emperors, atlantes or grotesques. The museum's seven interactive rooms feature local personalities, such as Nicolas Fabri de Peiresc or Pierre Puget, through 3D models, touch screens and animated portraits. This place combines heritage preservation and museum innovation.

The basement of the house, particularly well preserved, reveals typical distribution spaces from the beginning of the seventeenth century: a vaulted vaulted corridor, an inner courtyard with galleries served by a ramp staircase, and a marble pavement. The gypsies, dated around 1600, are inspired by the grotesques of the Renaissance, while trompe-l'oeil paintings complete the whole. These elements demonstrate the architectural importance of the site, despite the absence of specific sources on its initial construction.

External links