Hôtel d'Anselme

Hôtel d'Anselme is a Renaissance-era mansion in the heart of Pernes-les-Fontaines, a Provençal town in the Vaucluse department best known for the many historic fountains scattered through its old center. The building stands on the Quai de Verdun, right above the Nesque river, and its tall towers and austere stone Renaissance facade catch the eye long before you reach it.

Where does the name come from?

The mansion was built in the 16th century as the residence of the Marquis d'Anselme family, whose name it still carries on local maps and street signage. It underwent a thorough restoration in the 19th century, which is why it has survived in good condition to the present day. Since September 1928 the building has been listed as a monument historique in France, giving it formal heritage protection and marking it as one of the more significant examples of secular residential architecture in the region.

What will you actually see?

The mansion's strongest feature is its position: it literally towers over the bank of the Nesque, and its towers are visible from several points across the old town. The facade combines elements typical of Provençal residential architecture of the period — a regular rhythm of window openings, stone surrounds, and restrained but confident detailing associated with wealthy merchant and minor noble families of the Renaissance. It's worth walking around to the riverside to see the drop between street level and the water line, which is what gives the building its imposing, "dominating" silhouette.

Pernes-les-Fontaines itself is the kind of Vaucluse town best explored without a fixed itinerary — narrow lanes, a medieval gate, a clock tower, and dozens of fountains scattered across the old center form a cohesive, picturesque whole, with the Hôtel d'Anselme serving as one of its landmarks.

How to get there?

Pernes-les-Fontaines sits a short drive from Carpentras and not far from Avignon, making it a convenient stop on a Vaucluse itinerary. The most practical option is to arrive by car, since the town has no train station of its own, though it is connected to Avignon by regional bus services. The Hôtel d'Anselme itself is located on Quai de Verdun (postcode 84210), right next to the historic center, so once you're in town it's an easy walk to reach.

When to visit?

Late spring and early autumn are the best times to come — temperatures are milder than midsummer, and the town is noticeably less crowded than during Provence's peak tourist season. In summer, plan your walk for the morning hours, before the stone streets, which offer little shade, get uncomfortably hot.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the Hôtel d'Anselme? The building is primarily an architectural sight best appreciated from the outside — as a listed monument historique it is subject to heritage protection, so it's worth checking locally about any current access arrangements before visiting.

How long does it take to see it? The mansion itself can be viewed in a few minutes, but it pairs well with a walk through the old town of Pernes-les-Fontaines — allow 2–3 hours to explore the wider center properly.

Are there other landmarks nearby? Yes — Pernes-les-Fontaines is known for its dense network of historic fountains as well as medieval gates and towers, all of which can be seen on a single walk through the center.

Is Pernes-les-Fontaines a good day trip from Avignon? Yes, its proximity to Avignon and Carpentras makes it a natural stop on a day trip through the Vaucluse countryside.