Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Hotel de Blanchetti is a mansion built in the 18th century by the Blanchetti family, originally from Bologna. In 1730 François de Blanchetti, lord of the Motte, acquired a house on Rue de la Croix and Place de la Bulle, which he demolished to rebuild the current building in the 1760s. Although the architect is not formally identified, sources suggest Jean-Baptiste Franque as possible author of the plans. That same year, a conflict broke out between Ms. Blanchetti and Mason Briat, requiring expertise from architects Thibault and Bondon. The statue of the Virgin with the Child, dated 1764 and attributed to the sculptor Pierre-Joseph Brever, adorns the corner of the building.

The entrance door, surmounted by the attributes of Hercules (massures and lion skin), and the inner courtyard paved with a colourful calade at the coat of arms of the Blanchetti (dated 1760) bear witness to the fascist of the era. This court is a remarkable example of local craftsmanship. The hotel then houses, between 1775 and 1823, Countess Henriette-Catherine de Blanchetti and her husband. After two centuries in the family, the building was sold in 1998, then left to abandon before being bought and restored under the direction of heritage architect Michel Escande to build nine apartments.

Ranked a historic monument on December 21, 1984, the Hôtel de Blanchetti embodies the 18th century Avignon architectural heritage. Its recent restoration has preserved its emblematic elements, such as calade and sculptures, while adapting space to contemporary use. Sources also refer to bibliographical references, including the work of Joseph Girard and Pierre Lavedan, which document his history and style among the local hotels.

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