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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Hotel de Boyer de Sorgues, also known as the Hotel de Cassagnes, is a historic monument located in Béziers, in the Hérault. Although its main period was associated with the 17th century, some parts, such as a square tower, date back to at least the 16th century, attested as early as 1561 during the Wars of Religion. The construction of the current residence is mainly between 1526 and 1550, under the impetus of Monsieur de Sorgues, who acquires and transforms several adjacent houses to form a large hotel. The entrance door, dated from the end of the 15th century, and the tower of polygonal staircase, testify to this ancient period.

The turret, partially preserved, would have been the scene of a tragic event in 1561: the assassination of Laudun, lieutenant of the Viscount of Joyeuse, in the context of the Wars of Religion. This tower, now reduced to height, features a screw staircase and architectural elements characteristic of the late Middle Ages, such as rubble columns and pinnacles. The covered passage, decorated with a painted ceiling, leads to an inner courtyard organized in quadrilateral, typical of the mansions of the period.

The hotel has experienced several owners and transformations over the centuries. In the 17th century, it welcomed notable personalities, such as Cardinal de Richelieu in 1632, during his stay in Béziers for the states of Languedoc. The interior decorations, mostly restored or added at the end of the 19th century by architect Viviers, combine neo-Gothic, neo-renaissance and Art Nouveau styles. Among the remarkable elements are a Louis XIII vestibule, a Louis XV lounge, and a vaulted gallery with armored stained glass windows of the Cavaillé family, owner of the 18th and 19th centuries.

Ranked a historic monument in 1952 for its portal, passage and turret, the hotel illustrates the architectural and social evolution of Béziers, from the wars of Religion to the modern era. Its history also reflects the links between local power, nobility and bourgeoisie, through its successive occupants and their networks of influence. Today, there is still a major testimony of the Dickarian heritage, combining medieval heritage and beautifications of classical and eclectic periods.

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