Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Hôtel de Beaulaincourt is a former mansion located in Bethune, in the department of Pas-de-Calais, built during the 2nd quarter of the 18th century. Ranked as historical monuments since 1974, it is distinguished by its facades, roofs, vaulted caves of warheads, interior staircase and living rooms decorated with painted woodwork. Originally private property, it was confiscated during the French Revolution to become a revolutionary court, marking the beginning of its institutional use.

From 1800 to 1930, the building houses the court of first instance in the district of Bethune. Between 1930 and 1970, he hosted the Economic Chamber of the city and was transformed into a museum of popular arts and traditions under the leadership of Mayor Henri Pad. In the 1990s, he served briefly as a juvenile court before being dedicated, in 2007, to a digital reading room in municipal archives. Its status as a historical monument was strengthened by an inscription in 1947, followed by a partial classification in 1974.

The hotel became old and expensive to maintain and was sold in 2017 to a private developer, Xavier Lucas, who converted it into a luxury hotel and restaurant. However, this project, approved by the architect of the French buildings, is controversial, especially in 2020, when a local elected official denounces irregularities in the sale. The building thus embodies the challenges of preserving and rehabilitating historical heritage in a modern urban context.

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