Hôtel de Lezay-Marnézia

Hôtel de Lezay-Marnézia is an 18th-century townhouse on place Perraud in Lons-le-Saunier, the capital of the Jura department in eastern France. Built around 1740 as the residence of a local noble family, it remains in private hands today and stands as one of a handful of surviving hôtels particuliers in the town's historic center.

What kind of building is this?

The Hôtel de Lezay-Marnézia is a classic example of a French hôtel particulier — a compact townhouse built for a noble or wealthy bourgeois family, with its main facade facing directly onto a public square. The core structure dates from the first half of the 18th century, and while the interiors received decorative updates in the 19th century, the overall layout and volume of the building were left unchanged. Recognizing its historical and architectural value, France listed it as a monument historique (inscrit) on 4 July 1996, with protection covering the facades, roofs, and surviving interior decorative elements.

How do you get there?

The building stands on place Perraud, right in the heart of old Lons-le-Saunier, a short walk from the town's best-known landmark, the covered arcades along rue du Commerce. The historic center is compact and best explored on foot — Lons-le-Saunier's railway station is within walking distance, and local buses also serve the town. Lons-le-Saunier sits on the main roads linking the Jura region to Besançon and Bourg-en-Bresse, making it an easy stop by car as well.

What will you see there?

Since the Hôtel de Lezay-Marnézia is privately owned, visits are limited to viewing the facade and overall structure from the square, much like the neighboring Hôtel de Balay, another 18th-century mansion nearby. Walking around place Perraud and the adjoining streets lets you trace the layout of Lons-le-Saunier's historic quarter, where stone facades from the Age of Enlightenment sit alongside later 19th-century additions. It's a good starting point for a longer walk through the old town, which also takes in the town hall and the historic Hôtel-Dieu.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring and early autumn are the most pleasant times to explore Lons-le-Saunier, with comfortable temperatures for walking through the historic center and fewer crowds around place Perraud and the surrounding streets. In summer, the town becomes a stopover for travelers heading toward the Jura mountains and nearby vineyards, so expect busier weekends. Winter brings the cool, damp weather typical of the region, though the town itself remains accessible year-round.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the inside of the Hôtel de Lezay-Marnézia? No — the building is privately owned and its interior is not open to visitors. You can only view it from the outside, from place Perraud.

When was the building constructed? The main structure was built around 1740, in the first half of the 18th century. Additional decorative work was carried out inside during the 19th century, without changing the building's overall shape.

Is the building a protected historic monument? Yes, it has been listed as a monument historique since 4 July 1996, with protection covering the facades, roofs, and remaining interior decorative features.

What else is worth seeing nearby? This part of town has several other historic hôtels particuliers, including the Hôtel de Balay, as well as the historic town hall and the Hôtel-Dieu, making it worthwhile to plan a longer walk through Lons-le-Saunier's old town.