Date engraved on the well 1560 (≈ 1560)
End of acquisition work.
Fin XVe – début XVIe siècle
Construction of old wing
Construction of old wing Fin XVe – début XVIe siècle (≈ 1625)
François I style, medallion decorations.
Milieu XVIe siècle
Expansion under Henry II
Expansion under Henry II Milieu XVIe siècle (≈ 1650)
Doric gallery and wing unification.
1912
Acquisition by the Guiraud family
Acquisition by the Guiraud family 1912 (≈ 1912)
Transformation into a café and then a hotel.
1926-1927
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 1926-1927 (≈ 1927)
Protected wells and architectural elements.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
Renaissance well located in the courtyard: ranking by decree of 21 November 1926; Left building: stair turret, two bays adjacent to the ground floor and large low arch bearing Renaissance gallery; Two-span vaulted vestibule on the first floor and Renaissance gallery on the first and second floors. Building on the right: facade on street, north and south facades on courtyard, staircase turret and two floors of superimposed galleries, bounded by a red line (for facades) and a pink shade on the plan annexed to the decree: classification by decree of 25 August 1927
Key figures
Jean (abbé de Caunes) - Suspected Sponsor
Aura imported an artist from Carrara.
Famille d’Alibert - Initial owners
Local vines, successive enlargements.
Frédéric Guiraud - Current Leader
Hotel-restaurant manager since 1986.
Origin and history
The Hotel d'Alibert is a Renaissance mansion located in Caunes-Minervois, Aude, Occitanie. Built mainly in the 16th century, it is distinguished by its style inspired by Italian palazzi, with a courtyard adorned with two-storey galleries, arches in full hangar, and carved decorations (busts, medallions, badges). A central well, dated 1560 by a lead shield, and screw stairs complete this remarkable architectural ensemble. The building is the result of the successive enlargement of two parts: the left wing, older (late 15th – early 16th century), evokes the Francis I style, while the right wing, added later, reflects the influence of Henry II.
The family of Alibert, who gave several vigoers (local magistrates) to the village, was responsible for its construction. According to tradition, Jean, abbot of Caunes, reported from Italy an artist from Carrara to exploit the local marble and supervise the works, explaining the transalpine inspiration of the building. The hotel was partially classified as a Historic Monument in 1926 (renaissance well) and 1927 (galleries, facades, and interior elements such as ivy vaults).
Transformed into a hotel-restaurant in the 20th century, the building was acquired in 1912 by the Guiraud family, who renovated it into a combination of accommodation and restaurant. Frédéric Guiraud, the current leader, has maintained this tradition since 1986. Inside, some rooms retain their original vaults, including a chapel with thirdons, while undamaged door windows testify to the past.
The architectural differences between the two wings are explained by successive acquisitions. The oldest gallery, decorated with busts in medallions, recalls the François I era and could be the work of a Toulouse artist. The second, with doric columns swollen, dates from the middle of the sixteenth century, under Henry II. The date of 1560, engraved on the well, would mark the completion of the work of unification of the parts purchased by the Aliberts.
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