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Origin and history

The hotel of Clévans, also known as the hotel of the headquarters, is a private hotel located at 4 rue du Général-Lecourbe in Besançon, Doubs department. Built between 1739 and 1741 for Joseph Lebas de Clévans, adviser to Besançon's parliament, it is inspired by the architecture of Parisian hotels, including the Matignon hotel. His alleged architect, Jean Querret, engineer of the Ponts-et-Chaussées, allegedly designed a building between courtyard and garden, with outbuildings including stables and cooler.

In 1818, the hotel was rented to the army to serve as a headquarters, then purchased by the state in 1854. He became the residence of the generals commanding the corps, including the Duke of Aumale (1873-1879) and General of Lattre de Tassigny in 1944. During the Second World War, it housed the Gestapo (1943-1944), and a preserved cell carried prison graffiti. The building, classified as a historic monument in 2001, preserved its interior decorations and English-language park.

The hotel's classic architecture is distinguished by a pilaster-like facade and a triangular pediment. The interior distribution, inspired by the hotel of Matignon, includes a court of honor, commons, and a garden transformed in the 19th century. In spite of minor developments (closing the gallery, adding a corridor), the original structure remains intact. The chimneys, dated 1741, and the remains of the cooler bear witness to its history.

The hotel illustrates the evolution of the use of a civilian building towards a military function, while maintaining remarkable heritage elements. Its inscription to historical monuments covers the entire building, with the exception of some floor decorations, as well as courtyards, terraces, and the walled garden.

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