Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Forbin Hotel of Sainte-Croix occupies the location of an ancient 14th century cardinalry, the livery of Poitiers. This place was home to major figures in religious history: Pope Benedict XIII (Peter of Luna, antipap according to the Catholic Church) lived there between 1381 and 1403, followed by Cardinal Guy of Malesec. In 1415-1416 Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg stayed there. The delivery was given in 1473 to the Canons of Notre-Dame-des-Doms, then acquired by Cardinal Julien de la Rovere, who founded the Collège du Roure in 1476 for the study of civil and canon law.

In the 17th century, the college underwent major changes: François de Royers de La Valfrenière carried out works there in 1641-1642, and Pierre II Mignard erected a new facade between 1697 and 1702. In 1709 the college merged with that of Annecy, releasing the buildings. These were sold in 1712 to Jean-Baptiste Raynaud de Forbin, seigneur of Sainte-Croix, who had the present hotel rebuilt from 1718 according to Jean-Baptiste Franque's plans, while retaining the façade of Mignard.

During the Revolution, the hotel was confiscated and became the headquarters of the Departmental Executive Board in 1793, then the departmental administration in 1798. Returned to the Forbin family under the Restoration, he was finally bought by the state in 1822 to set up the prefecture. Work campaigns in the 19th century, notably in 1844-1846 by Prosper Renaux, adapted the premises to administrative needs, including an imperial stay in 1860 for Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie. The hotel has been listed for historical monuments since 1932.

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