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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Hôtel de L'Hoste, located in Arles in the Bouches-du-Rhône department, is a historical monument built in the 17th century. This building illustrates the civil architecture of the modern period in Provence, with remarkable elements such as preserved facades and roofs, as well as remains of a medieval enclosure integrated into the structure. Its classification as Historic Monument by decree of 14 February 1989 protects interior and exterior elements, including a staircase of honor, a stone fountain, and an old kitchen with a monumental fireplace.

The building is located at 16 rue du Grand-Prieuré, although approximate GPS coordinates also place it near Place Constantin. The accuracy of its location is considered satisfactory a priori (note 6/10), and its official address is referenced in the Merimée database under the code Insee 13004, attached to the commune of Arles. The legal protections also cover a vestibule, a secondary staircase with a wrought iron ramp, and architectural details reflecting the prestige of its former occupants.

Arles, a city marked by a rich Roman and medieval past, experienced in the seventeenth century an economic boom linked to river trade and agriculture. Private hotels, such as L'Hoste, symbolize the power of local elites, often linked to commercial activities or judicial charges. These urban residences, designed to impress, frequently incorporate defensive elements inherited from previous centuries, such as the remains of enclosure visible here. Their preservation today offers a tangible witness to the social and architectural evolution of Provence under the Ancien Régime.

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