Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Hotel Madon de Châteaublanc, located in Avignon in the Vaucluse, is a remarkable example of 17th and 18th century civil architecture. Built in 1687 for Jean-Pierre de Madon de Châteaublanc, it illustrates the fascist of the Avignon private hotels of the time, with plans attributed to Peter II Mignard, architect and renowned painter. The work of masonry, entrusted to Pierre Thibaud and J. P. Escoffier, marks the beginning of an edification that fits into the urban and aristocratic context of Avignon, then under pontifical influence.

The interior decorations, typical of the Louis XV style, include woodwork, hazes and paintings on the door tops, reflecting the refinement of the era. The courtyard, adorned with a calade (traditional Provencal paving) designed by Henri Barrelet, incorporates comet motifs, probably inspired by the passage of Halley's comet in 1759. This rare decorative element bears witness to the scientific and artistic interest of local elites.

The hotel is partially classified and listed as historical monuments: the facades, roofs, the caladed courtyard, the honorary staircase in wrought iron, as well as several rooms (vestibulum, dining room, music salon, room at the Natory) have been protected since 1932 and 1983. These protections highlight the heritage value of the site, both for its architecture and for its preserved decorations. Jean-Pierre de Madon de Châteaublanc, sponsor of the hotel, is also known for having founded the Maison du Bon Pasteur in 1702, a charitable institution in Avignonnais.

The historical sources, including the works of Joseph Girard and Pierre Lavedan, highlight the importance of this hotel in the architectural landscape of Avignon, alongside other private hotels such as the one in Crillon. Its location, between the streets Banasterie, Gaulignan and the Vice-Legat, makes it a central witness of the town's urban planning in modern times.

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