Hôtel Jobard

Hôtel Jobard is a historic townhouse in the center of Gray, one of the oldest towns in Franche-Comté on the banks of the Saône. It stands at 9 Rue Louis Jobard and is listed as a French historic monument under reference PA70000068.

What is the history behind the building?

The mansion was built in the early third quarter of the 18th century for Louis Soisson, lord of Arc-lès-Gray. An inscription still visible on the right wing bears the date 1752 — the foundation stone was laid on 18 April of that year. Over the following century the property grew: the 19th century brought an independent storage building and a small outbuilding on the right side of the courtyard, plus a greenhouse overlooking the park, which was laid out in its present form at the same time. The ground floor of the left wing has always housed storage and utility rooms.

By the late 19th century, Hôtel Jobard served as the residence of one of Gray's notable families, and the whole ensemble of house, outbuildings, and grounds still reflects that kind of town-based landed estate.

What can you see on site?

Beyond the building itself, the landscaped park holds the main highlight: a neoclassical pavilion known as the "music room," a small structure built of dressed stone that anchors the grounds. The street-facing facade on Rue Louis Jobard and the courtyard layout with its 19th-century outbuildings are also worth a close look.

Hôtel Jobard is privately owned, so the interior and gardens are not generally open to visitors — the building is best appreciated from the outside, on a walk through Gray's old town.

How do you get there?

The mansion sits in the heart of Gray, in the Haute-Saône department, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, right by the riverside old town along the Saône. It fits easily into a walk through the historic center — other townhouses and mansions from the same era stand nearby, and the whole route can be covered on foot in under twenty minutes.

When is the best time to visit?

Since Hôtel Jobard is mostly viewed from the street, timing matters less than light and season. Spring and summer show off the park's greenery at its fullest, while autumn afternoons bring warm, low light that flatters the facade for photos. It's worth pairing a stop here with a broader walk through the rest of historic Gray.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hôtel Jobard a hotel where you can book a room? No. In French, "hôtel" here means a grand private townhouse, not a place to stay — Hôtel Jobard is a historic residence, not accommodation.

Can visitors go inside or walk through the park? The property is privately owned, so the interior and grounds are not routinely open to the public — it's viewed from outside.

Why is Hôtel Jobard a protected monument? It is listed as a French historic monument (reference PA70000068) for its 18th-century architecture and the well-preserved 19th-century outbuildings and park.

How old is the building? Its foundation stone was laid on 18 April 1752, making Hôtel Jobard a mid-18th-century building later expanded during the following century.