Cavaillon - Hotel d'Agar

Hôtel d'Agar is a privately owned historic mansion in the heart of Cavaillon, Provence, where Roman excavations, Renaissance interiors and a collection built up over more than a quarter of a century share one address. Listed as a French historic monument, the stone residence stands directly on the ruins of the ancient town and ranks among the most surprising places to visit in the Vaucluse.

What will you see inside?

The house grew in layers over the centuries. Its oldest parts date back to the 12th century, and each later era added floors and decoration of its own. Highlights include a 15th-century Gothic tower studded with gargoyles, a painted ceiling created in 1537 for the visit of King Francis I, and a series of ornamental stucco fireplaces from around 1600. Beneath the building and in its courtyard, archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a Roman temple and baths from the age of Augustus.

The interiors follow the spirit of a Renaissance cabinet of curiosities. For more than 27 years the owners have been assembling archaeology, ethnographic objects, old masters and contemporary art, frequently rescuing pieces that would otherwise have been lost or destroyed. A tour here feels nothing like a conventional museum: the exhibits fill lived-in rooms, and every space mixes objects from different periods. The property also includes a historic garden, a green retreat tucked into the dense fabric of the old town.

What is the Cavaillon treasure?

The discovery that made the house famous came in 2010, when work on the property revealed a hoard of 303 Roman silver denarii — the most significant find of its kind in the Vaucluse. The digs also exposed a 2nd-century Roman temple with frescoes still in place on its walls. Visitors can see the coins and related finds exactly where they were unearthed, which is a rarity even by European standards.

How do visits work and when should you come?

Hôtel d'Agar remains a private family home, so it can only be seen on a guided tour booked online in advance. The visiting season is concentrated in the summer months, with tours held on selected afternoons — check the current calendar and prices on the residence's website or with the Luberon tourist office before you travel. Tours are led by people connected with the house, which gives the visit a personal tone: instead of standard museum commentary, you hear the story of a family's collecting passion.

A visit pairs naturally with a stroll through old Cavaillon — a town known for its melons, Roman arch and cathedral — and with a drive around the hilltop villages of the Luberon.

How do you get there?

Cavaillon sits in the Vaucluse department at the western gateway to the Luberon massif, between Avignon and Aix-en-Provence. The town has its own railway station with regional services towards Avignon and Marseille. The mansion stands within the old town, a short walk from the centre; it is best to leave the car in one of the municipal car parks and continue on foot, as the streets of the historic quarter are narrow.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hôtel d'Agar a hotel where you can stay overnight? No. "Hôtel particulier" is the French term for a grand townhouse. Hôtel d'Agar is a private house-museum open for tours, not accommodation.

Do I need to book in advance? Yes. The house is shown exclusively on guided tours, and places must be reserved online ahead of time. There are no walk-in individual visits.

What is the single biggest highlight? The hoard of 303 Roman denarii discovered in 2010 and the remains of a Roman temple with frescoes preserved in place. The 1537 painted ceiling and the cabinet-of-curiosities interiors leave a strong impression too.

How long does a visit take? The tour covers the interiors and the garden — allow roughly one to two hours, then spend the rest of the day in Cavaillon's old town and the surrounding Luberon villages.