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Origin and history

The hotel Raousset-Boulbon, also known as Hotel Fauris de Saint-Vincens or Rascas, is an emblematic mansion in Aix-en-Provence. Built around 1660 by Honoré de Rascas, lord of the Canet and adviser to the Parliament, it embodies the aristocratic architecture of the 17th century Provencal. Its location at 14 Cours Mirabeau, in the historic heart of the city, makes it a privileged witness of the Aix urbanism of the time.

In the 18th century, the hotel was acquired in 1739 by Antoine de Fauris, grandfather of Alexander de Fauris de Saint-Vincens, who became one of its owners in the 19th century and was also mayor of Aix. This change of ownership reflects the evolution of local elites and the social importance of this type of residence in the political and worldly life of the city.

The hotel is subject to two successive protections in respect of historical monuments: a partial inscription on 3 November 1987 (concerns the hotel, the garden, the commons and a wing in return), followed by a ranking on 18 December 1989 for remarkable interior and exterior elements, such as the gate, the staircase, or the large living room and its decor. These measures highlight the heritage value of the building, both for its architecture and its history.

The available sources, including Wikipedia and Monumentum, also mention the involvement of architect Jean-Baptiste Franque as a masterpiece, although his exact role is not detailed. Today, Hotel Raousset-Boulbon remains a significant example of the Aix heritage, combining political history, Baroque architecture and contemporary preservation.

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