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Origin and history

The hotel Leguz de Gerland, located 21 rue Vauban in Dijon, is a remarkable example of architecture combining Renaissance, classical and 19th century styles. Its oldest part, built in 1538 by the Chissey-Varanges family on the current rue Jean-Baptiste-Liégeard, is distinguished by three scauguettes symbolizing the towers of their coat of arms. These decorative defensive elements, typical of the first French Renaissance, bear witness to the influence of the Burgundian castles of the time, while adapting to an urban context.

In the 1670s, Pierre Leguz Morin, then owner, enlarged the hotel by extending the façade and adding a fourth scauguette at the corner of Jean-Baptiste-Liégeard and Amiral-Roussin streets, inspired by existing models. This choice reflects the desire of the Dijon elites to modernize their residences while retaining references to the medieval heritage. The most notable intervention occurred around 1698 when his son Charles Leguz Morin, master of the dauphine wardrobe, had an inner courtyard built in the hemicycle.

This courtyard, with eight arcades and adorned with garlands, floral motifs and family monogram, is directly inspired by the Place Royale (present place of Liberation) created in Dijon in 1686. The hemicycle illustrates the adoption of French classic cannons under Louis XIV, while integrating Baroque decorative elements. The monogram of Charles Leguz Morin, still visible, emphasizes the ostentatious nature of this transformation, intended to affirm its social status.

In the 19th century, the hotel passed into the hands of the Liegeard family. Jean-Baptiste Liegeard became its owner, and his son Stéphen, a writer and politician, made significant changes after 1887. He unifies the facades on the streets Jean-Baptiste-Liégeard (named in homage to his father) and Admiral-Rossin, and affixes his initials above the entrance gate. These works reflect the eclectic taste of the era, mixing neoclassical restoration and personal additions.

The hotel, listed as a historic monument since November 10, 1925, changed hands several times in the 20th century. After the death of Stéphen Liegeard in 1925, he returned to his son Gaston, then to the Count of Saint Quentin. Today, it belongs to several private owners. Its early registration (1925) reflects the recognition of its heritage value, at a time when the protection of urban private hotels became a priority in France.

The building thus embodies almost five centuries of Dijon's architectural history, from the late medieval influences (scauguuettes) to the classical transformations (hemicircular courtyard), to the eclectic changes of the 19th century. Its evolution reflects the taste changes of local elites, as well as the successive adaptations of an ancient building to the aesthetic and social norms of each era.

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