Hôtel Salleton

Hôtel Salleton is a Renaissance-era private mansion standing at the corner of boulevard Georges-Saumande and avenue Daumesnil, on the right bank of the Isle river in Périgueux. Despite its name, this is not a place to book a room — "hôtel" here refers to the French term for a grand townhouse, and the building remains privately owned.

Why does a "hotel" have no rooms to rent?

In French architectural vocabulary, a hôtel particulier is an urban mansion built for a wealthy family, not a commercial inn. Hôtel Salleton follows that pattern exactly: it's a stone townhouse dating from the 16th century, later extended, that has always served as a private residence rather than public lodging.

Who built it, and who lived there?

Early in the 17th century the property belonged to the Broliodie family. In 1630 it passed to the Salleton family, whose name the building still carries today. Ownership by successive merchant and administrative families reflects the pattern common among Périgueux's riverside mansions of that period.

What does the building look like?

The façade is arranged around two perpendicular wings, marked by mullioned window openings and carved dormers typical of Renaissance design. Along rue du Port de Graule runs a covered gallery supported on machicolations, while the terrace incorporates surviving fragments of the town's medieval defensive wall — a visible reminder that this riverside quarter once served a military purpose. A 19th-century realignment, tied to the construction of Imperial Road 21, altered the approach to the property and is part of why the boulevard-facing frontage looks the way it does today.

Does it carry any heritage protection?

Yes. On 30 November 1938, the façades and roofing of Hôtel Salleton were listed as historic monuments. The building sits within Périgueux's protected historic district, alongside the riverside ensemble known as the Maisons des Quais and next door to the Maison des Consuls, one of the city's best-known old townhouses.

Can visitors go inside?

No — the mansion remains private property, so there is no public access to the interior. Visitors typically view it from outside, walking along the Isle riverbank or boulevard Georges-Saumande, where the Renaissance façade and the rampart-topped terrace are best appreciated. It makes a natural stop on a walk through old Périgueux, paired with a look at the neighbouring Maison des Consuls.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hôtel Salleton an actual hotel where I can stay? No. It's a historic private townhouse (hôtel particulier), not a lodging business, and there are no rooms available to book.

Where exactly is it located? At the corner of boulevard Georges-Saumande and avenue Daumesnil, on the right bank of the Isle, in Périgueux's historic centre next to the Maison des Consuls.

How old is the building? Construction dates to the 16th century; it took its current name after the Salleton family bought it in 1630 from the Broliodie family.

Can I visit the inside? No, it's privately owned. You can only view the façade and terrace from the street or the riverside walkway.