Hôtel Ferrier et Cundier

Hôtel Ferrier et Cundier is a pair of twin, adjoining townhouses on Cours Mirabeau in Aix-en-Provence, the grand tree-lined avenue at the heart of the old town. Despite the word "hôtel" in the name, these are not hotels in the modern sense — they're two "hôtels particuliers," the private mansions built by wealthy townspeople in the classical period.

Where exactly do you find them on Cours Mirabeau?

The two buildings stand side by side at numbers 61 and 63 Cours Mirabeau, right along the avenue that nearly every visitor to Aix walks at some point. If you follow Cours Mirabeau from the Rotonde fountain toward Place Forbin, you'll pass directly in front of them — no detour required.

Who commissioned them, and when?

The mansion at number 61 was built for François Ferrier, a goldsmith working in Aix, while the neighboring house went up for a land surveyor and engraver named Cundier. Both men belonged to the city's prosperous merchant and craftsman class at a time when Aix served as a major administrative center of Provence, and such families competed to put up handsome residences along the main avenue. Construction dates to the closing decades of the 17th century, under Louis XIV.

What architectural style do they show?

Both townhouses belong to the classical strand of Provençal residential architecture from the Grand Siècle. Their facades are symmetrical and restrained, without the heavier ornamentation seen on some contemporary Aix mansions — a deliberate, sober take on baroque proportions. Some sources credit the design to architect Louis Jaubert, who also worked on the Hôtel Boyer-d'Eguilles, one of the city's other notable mansions.

Can you go inside, or is it just a facade to admire?

Both buildings are still private residences today, so the interiors are not open to visitors. What you can do is stop on the pavement to study the window proportions, cornices, and stonework typical of the period. On the ground floor of one of the two buildings sits the Café du Roy René, a spot where you can sit with a view of Cours Mirabeau and take in the architecture at close range while having a coffee.

When is the best time to walk past?

There's no need to plan a dedicated visit or booking — the Hôtel Ferrier et Cundier works best as one stop on a longer stroll down Cours Mirabeau. Early morning or late afternoon tends to be quieter on the avenue, and the low-angle light brings out the texture of the stone facades better than the midday glare.

Does it fit naturally into a walking route around old Aix?

Yes. Since it sits directly on Cours Mirabeau, you don't need to go out of your way to see it. Combine it with a look at other hôtels particuliers nearby, such as Hôtel de Caumont or Hôtel Maurel de Pontevès, to get a fuller sense of Aix's history as the former seat of Provence's regional parliament.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hôtel Ferrier et Cundier a hotel where you can book a room? No. These are two historic private townhouses (hôtels particuliers), not lodging — both are currently private residences.

Where exactly is it located? At 61 and 63 Cours Mirabeau, in the center of Aix-en-Provence.

When was it built? In the late 17th century, under Louis XIV, for goldsmith François Ferrier and surveyor Cundier.

Can you go inside? No, the buildings are privately owned. You can admire the facades from the street and sit at the café occupying the ground floor of one of them.