Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Chiquet Hotel, built around 1770 in Chalon-sur-Saône, is an antique style mansion commissioned by Mrs. Chiquet. Its rectangular structure is organized around a central courtyard, reflecting the architectural cannons of the time. The building stands out for its monumental staircase, adorned with a wrought iron ramp with interlaced NB initials, reminiscent of Napoleon Bonaparte's passage.

In 1805, the hotel welcomed three major historical figures: Napoleon I, his wife Josephine de Beauharnais, and Pope Pius VII. On their journey to Milan, Napoleon was crowned king of Lombardy. This event marks the history of the place, associated with a protocol and symbolic episode of the First Empire.

On April 6, 1805, in the large salon, Josephine received twelve young girls from the local aristocracy, dressed in white. Touched by their tribute—honor candy accompanied by poetic currencies—she offers her necklace to Adèle de Foudras, one of the children. This gesture, reported by the chronicles, illustrates the human and political dimension of the imperial visit.

The hotel has been partially protected since 1948: its staircase (cage, peristyle, wrought iron ramp) is inscribed in historical monuments. The entrance, marked by columns of stone, and the salons today recall this heritage linked to the Napoleonic epic. The exact location, 5 rue des Tonneliers, makes it an accessible place in the heart of Chalon-sur-Saône.

Beyond its architecture, the Chiquet Hotel embodies a pivotal moment in European history, where imperial power, religion and local society intersect. His inscription as a historical monument in 1948 consecrated his heritage value, between collective memory and artistic heritage.

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