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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Hotel de Manville, located in the medieval village of Les Baux-de-Provence, was built in 1571 by architect Flayelle for Claude II de Manville, a member of an influential Toulouse family. This captain of the royal galeries, close to Protestant circles, had the Calvinist motto "Post tenebras lux" engraved on the facade ("After darkness, light"), symbolizing his religious convictions. The Renaissance-style building became a place of local power before being given to the municipality in the 20th century.

In the 16th century, Les Baux-de-Provence was a home of Protestantism in Provence, under the aegis of the Manville family. In 1631, the inhabitants, tired of religious conflicts, negotiated with the crown the dismantling of the fortifications of the nearby castle, perceived as "factious" dens. The Manville Hotel, spared, remained a symbol of the tumultuous history of the village, between resistance and submission to royal authority.

The building was donated to the commune in 1960 by Prince Bianchi of Medici of Manville to install the town hall. Since then, it has also hosted cultural exhibitions, such as the one in 2013 dedicated to ceramics and glass, highlighting works by Alice Colonieu. Its architecture, combining defensive elements and Renaissance ornaments, makes it a rare testimony of Protestant history in Provence.

The façade of the Hotel also bears the inscription "1571", recalling its construction during the Wars of Religion. Nearby, the Eyguières Gate and the Quiqueran Hospital (XVI century) complete an architectural ensemble reflecting the golden age of the Baux, between seigneurial power and religious bubbling. Today, the monument is classified as Historical Monuments (recorded in 1905).

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