Construction of the chapel XIIIe siècle (≈ 1350)
Original medieval chapel of the monument.
26 octobre 1981
Classification and registration
Classification and registration 26 octobre 1981 (≈ 1981)
Official protection of key elements.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The old chapel in its entirety; arcade peristyle; the stone staircase with its gypsum decoration, and the room on the ground floor with Renaissance fireplace (Box I 150): classification by decree of 26 October 1981; Other parts of the former residence (Case I 149, 150): registration by order of 26 October 1981
Key figures
Information non disponible - No name cited
Sources do not mention any characters.
Origin and history
The Residence of the Archbishops of Aix, located in Jouques in Bouches-du-Rhône, is a building whose origins date back to the 13th century. This monument, partially classified and inscribed since 1981, includes an ancient chapel dating back to the same period, as well as parts built or rebuilt in the fourteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The architecture thus combines medieval elements, such as the arcades of the peristyle, with later additions, such as a stone staircase decorated with gypsums, typical of the Baroque or classical periods.
The official protection of the site, which took place by order of 26 October 1981, concerns both specific elements (the chapel in full, the peristyle, the staircase and a room with Renaissance fireplace) and all other parts of the residence. These protections highlight the heritage value of a place that was used as a residence for the Archbishops of Aix, although the available sources do not specify the names of the occupants or the specific historical events held there. The address registered in the Mérimée base (13490 Jouques) confirms its anchoring in the Provençal territory, marked by a rich religious and architectural history.
The monument illustrates the evolution of styles and uses over the centuries, from its initial function linked to the Church to its present status as a protected heritage. Mentions of a Renaissance fireplace and a gypsum decor suggest phases of renovation or beautification reflecting the tastes of post-medieval eras. However, the practical information on its accessibility (visits, rentals, accommodation) is not detailed in the sources consulted, limiting the knowledge of its contemporary use.
