Hôtel Ricard de Brégançon

Hôtel Ricard de Brégançon is a historic town mansion in Aix-en-Provence, standing at 17 rue Thiers in the heart of the old town. Also known as the Hôtel des Gabelles, it is one of the many 17th-century private mansions that give the Aix historic center its distinctive aristocratic character.

How do you get there?

The building sits on rue Thiers, one of the streets linking the area around Cours Mirabeau with the old town — an easy few-minute walk from the city center. Aix-en-Provence is well served by buses from the Aix-en-Provence TGV station and by shuttle connections to Marseille Provence Airport. Walking is the best way to explore, since the old town is compact and most of the historic hôtels particuliers stand within a few hundred meters of each other.

What will you see?

The façade on rue Thiers is a classic example of 17th-century Aix mansion architecture — the building went up in 1670, designed by the architect Rambot. Its first owner was Louis-Hercule de Ricard, Marquis of Brégançon, a counselor to the Parliament of Provence originally from Toulon, whose title gave the mansion its name.

A distinctive decorative feature is found at the corners of each floor, marked with allegorical animal motifs — a dog, a monkey, and an eagle are all visible. Inside (access depends on the building's current use, so it's worth checking locally before visiting), a baroque staircase with wrought-iron railings and original plasterwork survives, and the first floor still holds two painted ceilings, one of them attributed to the painter Van Loo.

In 1855 the property passed to the Sec family, which explains the monumental stone statue in the entrance hall — it originally came from the tomb of Joseph Sec, built two years before his death in 1794. By the late 19th century, some of the ironwork had been updated: cast iron replaced wrought iron in the transom grilles, railings, and door knockers, a detail visible to anyone looking closely.

The Hôtel Ricard de Brégançon was partially listed as a historic monument on 20 July 1972, with protection covering the entrance hall and the interior staircase.

When should you visit?

Aix-en-Provence is at its best in spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October), when temperatures are mild and the old town is less crowded than at the height of summer. July and August bring the Festival d'Aix-en-Provence, filling the city with events but also drawing the largest crowds. A walk past the hôtels particuliers, including the Hôtel Ricard de Brégançon, pairs well with a stop at the Place Richelme market or a visit to the nearby Saint-Sauveur Cathedral, just a few hundred meters away.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the inside of the Hôtel Ricard de Brégançon? The building is largely a private or institutional property, so interior access is often limited. The façade and architectural details can be viewed from the street year-round.

Where does the mansion's name come from? It comes from its first owner, Louis-Hercule de Ricard, Marquis of Brégançon, a counselor to the Parliament of Provence. The building is also known as the Hôtel des Gabelles.

What is the most notable architectural feature? The baroque staircase with its wrought-iron railing, along with two painted ceilings on the first floor, one of which is attributed to the painter Van Loo.

Are there other historic mansions nearby? Yes — rue Thiers and the surrounding streets of the old town concentrate many 17th- and 18th-century hôtels particuliers, making this one of the richest stretches of historic Aix-en-Provence to explore on foot.