Hôtel de Boadès

Hôtel de Boadès is a listed 17th-century townhouse in the historic centre of Aix-en-Provence, standing on Place Jeanne d'Arc in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region of southern France.

What is the Hôtel de Boadès?

The building dates to the first half of the 17th century, when it was built as a private urban residence for one of Aix's families. Since 1947 it has been protected under France's monuments historiques register (reference PA00081020), which safeguards its facade and layout from alteration.

Its most notable turning point came in 1935, when Blanche d'Estienne de Saint-Jean, heiress to the Château du Grand-Saint-Jean, donated the property to the city of Aix-en-Provence. Her one condition was that income generated by the building should support the Académie d'Aix-en-Provence, the city's learned society. Today the Hôtel de Boadès houses municipal administrative offices, so it functions as a working civic building rather than a museum with fixed visiting hours.

How do you get there?

The building sits on Place Jeanne d'Arc, inside Aix's pedestrian-friendly old town, within walking distance of Cours Mirabeau and Saint-Sauveur Cathedral. The easiest way to reach Aix-en-Provence is by TER train from Marseille (roughly 30–40 minutes) or by shuttle bus from Marseille Provence Airport. Since the historic centre restricts car traffic, exploring on foot is the most practical option once you arrive.

What will you see?

Because the building is in active administrative use, visits are limited to its exterior and the square it faces. The stone facade reflects the restrained proportions typical of 17th-century Aixois townhouses: symmetrical window bays and an entrance marked by understated stone detailing. Place Jeanne d'Arc itself is a small, intimate square that lets you step back and take in the building's scale against its neighbours.

When should you visit?

Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September–October) offer the mildest weather and the smallest crowds for exploring Aix-en-Provence's old town. Summers can be hot, and the streets around Place Jeanne d'Arc get busy with visitors drawn to the nearby Cours Mirabeau.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the Hôtel de Boadès? No — the building houses Aix-en-Provence's municipal administrative offices and its interior isn't open to visitors.

How old is the building? It was built in the first half of the 17th century, making it nearly 400 years old.

Why did the city come to own it? Blanche d'Estienne de Saint-Jean donated it in 1935, on condition that rental income support the Académie d'Aix-en-Provence.

Is it a protected heritage site? Yes, it has been listed on France's monuments historiques register since 1947 under reference PA00081020.