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Key figures

Origin and history

The Gastaud hotel, also known as the Hotel de Foresta or Hotel de Montéty, is an iconic mansion in Aix-en-Provence, in the Bouches-du-Rhône. Built between 1667 and 1671 by the masterpiece Jean Jaubert, it is distinguished by its twin facade from that of the nearby Ravel d'Esclapon hotel. Its bays are framed with pilasters with doric capitals on the ground floor and ionic on the first floor, topped by denticulate cornices. A notable architectural detail is the oval egg eye integrated in the arcs of circle above the curved doors, surrounded by carved stones waiting for sculpture.

The building was classified as historic monuments on 21 May 1990 for its facades and roofs, while the rest of the hotel, including the garden, fountain and fence walls, was inscribed on the same date. The hotel housed painter-graveur Jean-Marie de Loustaunau, adding an artistic dimension to his history. Its staircase, cage and ramp, as well as the south façade corresponding to the glazing, are among the protected elements, reflecting the heritage importance of this building.

The architecture of the Gastaud hotel illustrates the classic style of the seventeenth century, with a toothed cornice under the roof and neat ornamental details. Its location at 37 Cardinale Street, close to the Place des Quatre-Dauphins, makes it a landmark of the Aixese heritage. The sources, including Wikipedia and Monumentum, highlight its role in urban planning and architectural history of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region.

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