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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Hotel de Carcès, located at 12 rue Émeric-David in Aix-en-Provence, is a mansion built at the end of the 16th century for Jean Guesnay, treasurer general of France. This emblematic building, marked by an entrance door to the 17th century woodwork, passed in 1612 to the family of Carcès, before welcoming in 1660 Cardinal Mazarin's nieces during the visit of Louis XIV to Aix. A local anecdote tells us that an Aixese man would have changed the inscription "Carcès" to "Bucks" in reference to these girls of honour, a game of words left in memory.

In 1662, the hotel was sold to Pierre de Coriolis, whose family kept it until the end of the 18th century. Under Louis-Philippe, he belonged to Ambroise Mottet, the first mayor of Aix after the Revolution of 1830, then to his descendants until the middle of the 20th century. The monument is distinguished by its stables accessible via a vestibule, a closed courtyard, and an entresol room decorated with a French ceiling on a golden background, typical of the aristocratic architecture of the time.

Ranked a historic monument in 1988 for its facades, roofs, trompe-l'oeil staircase and decorated ceiling, the Hotel de Carcès remains a private residence. Although not open to the public, its inner courtyard can be visited during opening hours, and open doors are organized during Heritage Days. Emeric-David Street, where it is located, is home to several private hotels and historic houses, bearing witness to the rich heritage of Aix.

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