EuropeSights

Historic Mansion sights in Europe

  1. Hôtels Particulier

    During the 17th and 18th centuries, Montpellier's wealthier merchants built grand private mansions, often externally quite sober but with resplendent inner courtyards (mostly, alas, closed to the public). Fine examples are Hôtel de Varennes, a harmonious 18th-century makeover of an originally medieval structure, and Hôtel St-Côme, nowadays the city's Chamber of Commerce. The 17th-century Hôtel des Trésoriers de France today houses the Musée Languedocien. Within the old quarter are several other such mansions, each marked by a descriptive plaque in French.

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  2. Hôtels Particuliers

    Many of Dijon's finest houses lie north of the Palais des Ducs on and around rue Verrerie, rue Vannerie and rue des Forges, whose names reflect the industries that once thrived there (glassmaking, basket-weaving and metalsmithery, respectively). The early-17th-century Maison des Cariatides, its facade a riot of stone caryatids, soldiers and vines,is particularly fine. A bit to the west you'll find the 13th-century Hôtel Aubriot and the Renaissance-style Maison Maillard, all garlands and lions. Go inside the truly splendid 17th-century Hôtel Chambellan, from whose courtyard a spiral stone staircase leads up to remarkable vaulting.

    Behind Église Notre Dame, the 17th- centu…

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