Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Hotel de Castries, located 31 rue Saint-Guilhem in Montpellier, is a historical monument of the first half of the seventeenth century. It is distinguished by its organization in two courses: a court of honor and a court of service, with buildings arranged in C at the back, probably at the location of an old garden. The ensemble results from a coherent architectural project, integrating the façade on Gabriel de Cussonnel street, which remains intact. This facade, rhythmized by composite pilasters and pediment windows, features an arched entrance door in basket handle framed with doric pilasters. A covered porch leads to the inner courtyard, while the second floor of skylights, surmounted by a more recent floor, completes the elevation.

Built in 1647, the hotel welcomed the Queen of France in 1660 during her visit to Montpellier. Its monumental staircase, entirely made of stone with bosses and arches supporting caisson bearings, leads to a guard room decorated with woodwork and staffs. A monumental fireplace, surmounted by a cornice decorated with eagles, love and garlands. The original nucleus of the building is the house of Gabriel de Cussonnel, erected in 1608, before being re-membered and transformed by René Gaspard de la Croix, Count of Castries, with architect Simon Levesville, whose will attests to work for Castries.

The protected elements include the entire old hotel, as well as the first floor interiors, excluding basements and upper floors. Ranked a historic monument in 2014 and 2015, the hotel illustrates the aristocratic architecture of the Great Century in Languedoc. Its precise location, validated by a note of 8/10, and its official address (31 rue Saint-Guilhem) make it a major heritage landmark of Montpellier, in the department of l'Hérault.

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