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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Paul Arbaud Hotel, located at 2 rue du Quatre-Septembre and Rue Mazarine in Aix-en-Provence, is a private hotel built around 1798. Its architecture reflects the styles of the fourth quarters of the 18th and 19th centuries, with interior decorations made at the end of the 19th century by local and Parisian artists such as Denis, Audibert and Bianchi. This building owes its name to Paul Arbaud, an Aixese collector and philanthropist, who installed a cabinet of curiosities dedicated to Provence, gathering manuscripts, faiences, paintings and historical objects.

Paul Arbaud and his wife made up an exceptional collection, including more than 1,600 manuscripts, ancient books (XIVth–XXth centuries), and works of art such as a Flemish triptych of the 14th century. At his death, Arbaud bequeathed together to the Academy of Aix, on condition that it be preserved and opened to the public. Thus was born the Paul Arbaud Library Museum, later enriched by other donations, such as 19th-century provencal newspapers or portraits of the Mirabeau family.

Ranked a historic monument in 1989 (including its garden and fence walls), the hotel now houses more than 148,000 bibliographic pieces. The museum, accessible by appointment, perpetuates Arbaud's will by exhibiting major works such as the murdered man of Chastel. Its fonds, partially catalogued in SUDOC, testify to the Provencal cultural heritage, between erudition and philanthropy.

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