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Origin and history

The Malaval Hotel, also known as the Malaval-Laffont Hotel, is a private hotel built in the second half of the 17th century in Agde, in the department of the Hérault (Occitanie). This building illustrates the civil architecture of the period, marked by baroque elements such as its rectangular gate with broken triangular pediment and its monumental staircase three flights per floor, characterized by square balusters and rampant arches in black lava. The well of the courtyard, with its typical 17th century margin, and the stairway shifts – a rare arrangement – bear witness to remarkable craftsmanship.

The hotel was built by Antoine Malaval, the first Consul of Agde in 1692, before moving on to his descendant Jean-Antoine Malaval, receiver of the Canal du Midi and director of food for the royal armies. By alliance, the good was then given to Guillaume Laffont, captain of infantry and knight of Saint-Louis. The building, partially fragmented over time, has been listed for historical monuments since 19 March 1965, especially for its staircase and ramp, elements protected by decree.

According to the sources, the original gate, the only intact vestige of the facade, presents a cariatide separating two panels into tables, while the interior preserves traces of the period layout, such as arches in basket handle supporting the bearings. The Mérimée base locates the hotel at 22 rue de l'Amour, in a state of partial conservation, with a geographical precision deemed "passable" (note 5/10).

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