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Origin and history

The Palais des Évêques de Bourg-Saint-Andéol finds its origins on the Saint-Michel rock, a site of an ancient castrum dependent on the sires of Montdragon. From the middle of the thirteenth century it became the private residence of the bishops of Viviers, lords of Bourg-Saint-Andéol, after the purchase of part of the seigneury by William II in 1220. This medieval castle, transformed into a palace, embodies their temporal and spiritual power over the Vivarais region.

At the end of the 15th century, Bishop Jean de Montchenu considerably enlarged the castle, giving it its palatial dimension. Around 1500, Claude de Tournon, bishop of Viviers, continued the beautifications initiated by his predecessors, including the Poitiers-Valentinois family. The Gothic facade overlooking the Rhone, still visible, bears witness to this period of transition between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

The palace enjoyed its architectural climax under the episcopate of Louis-François de la Baume de Suze (1621–90), which commissioned the decoration of the ceilings of its apartments in 1637. The room "Mazarin", where the cardinal stayed in August 1642, and the room of the Chapter, meeting place of the states of Vivarais, illustrate his political influence. The palace also houses a small seminary from 1729 to 1792, renowned for its teachings in philosophy.

The French Revolution marked a turning point: from 1792 to 1826, the palace was converted into a town hall, gendarmerie and barracks, suffering degradation. Rached in 1858 by the Congregation of Mary's Presentation, he became a private school for 140 years, until 1998. Ranked a historic monument in 1946, it is today a set of 4,000 m2 open to the public, mixing the honorary courtyard, 17th century painted ceilings, medieval cuisine and neo-Gothic chapel housing the René Margotton Museum.

Its architecture reflects almost 8 centuries of history, from medieval castrum to Renaissance and classical transformations. The 400 m2 terrace overlooking the Rhone, comparable to that of the Petit Palais d'Avignon, and the rooms with monumental fireplaces recall its dual role as a fortress and a place of episcopal power. The palace thus embodies the political and religious evolution of Vivarais, between feudality, Ancient Regime and educational heritage.

The Congregation of the Presentation of Mary ceded the palace in 2000, which became private property. Its ranking among the most remarkable monuments of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes underlines its heritage importance, both for its hybrid architecture (gothic, Renaissance, neo-gothic) and for its history linked to the bishops of Viviers and to local life.

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