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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

Hotel Novi de Caveirac, also known as Hotel Chouleur, is an emblematic civil building in Nîmes, located at 4bis-6 rue Fresque. Ranked a historic monument in 2004, it illustrates the architectural evolution between the 17th and 18th centuries, with a sober facade and a spacious inner courtyard. Originally, a 14th century medieval house occupied the site, with traces (archs, carved heads) still remaining today.

Reconstructed around 1660 for Novi Léon, a merchant and adviser to the king, the hotel underwent major transformations in 1713, when the Novi family became lord of Caveillac. The renovations of 1773, including the façade and a living room decorated with panelling and gypseries, mark its architectural climax. The four-core staircase, inspired by Italian tradition, and the richly decorated salons bear witness to its prestige. The west wing houses an alcove room and a small living room, also decorated with gypseries.

In the 19th century, the hotel changed its hands: occupied by the Mazel family (1856-1901), then by the architect Chouleur (1901-1985), it took the name of Hotel Chouleur. In 1985, the town hall of Nîmes became its owner. The building once served as a residence for the intendant of Languedoc during his stay in Nîmes, stressing its administrative and social importance.

The architecture combines symmetry and functionality, with a wooden gallery added in the 19th century to avoid crossing reception halls. The protected elements include the entire hotel, classified by decree of 18 November 2004. Today, there remains a major testimony of the Nîmes heritage, mixing medieval heritage and fascists of classical centuries.

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