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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

Hotel Buffon is a private hotel located in the saved area of Dijon, Burgundy-Franche-Comté. Built between the 16th and 18th centuries, it consists of two L-shaped buildings, with a courtyard served by a covered gate. The gate between the courtyard and the garden, dating from 1670, as well as the main building – probably from the end of the 16th century but redesigned to the 17th – illustrate its architectural evolution. Part of the left body even dates back to the 15th century, testifying to its seniority.

The interior preserves a homogeneous decorative ensemble from the second half of the 18th and early 19th century: staircase, parquet floors, woodwork adorned with shells and rinceaux, and putti ceilings. The naturalist Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon lived there from 1717 to 1742, when the hotel was marked by his occupation. Ranked a historic monument in 1967, it now embodies the architectural heritage of the Dijon, combining Renaissance heritage and the embellishments of the Enlightenment.

The official address, 24 rue Buffon, places the hotel in the heart of the city, although some sources mention an approximate location on the 27th of the same street. Its portal, interior decor and L-shaped structure make it a remarkable example of Burgundian mansion, reflecting the artistic tastes and lifestyles of the Dijon elites in the 17th and 18th centuries.

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