Today, Toulouse is home to the French aeronautics industry. But in yesteryear, its inhabitants shot for the sky by displaying their wealth. And this was done by living in a hotel particulier. Technically, a maison was always built as part of a row, whereas a hotel particulier was located behind an entrance court with a garden behind it.
Originally, the hotel particulier was just a somewhat larger detached house; but what started the trend for courtyards was the building of the Hotel d’Assézat in Toulouse in the 16th century. Though it was the home of a private individual, it looked like a Renaissance palace. It took thirty years to construct and is distinctive for the use of the pink bricks which helped give Toulouse the nickname ‘Ville Rose’. It is a truly beautiful house which is lovely to look around in its own right.
However, since 1994 it has housed the Bemberg Foundation, one of the major private art collections in Europe. Although the foundation includes drawings, sculptures and furniture, the main emphasis is on paintings. Highlights include work by Monet, Tintoretto and Cezanne among others. But arguably the best thing about the gallery is its preponderance of 16th century pieces – there’s a lovely portrait of Charles IX of France and lots of great Venetian paintings from the same period. It really is exceptionally fitting to see art displayed on walls which are the same age as the paintings themselves.
Pierre Assézat had this building commissioned to give his family somewhere exceptional to live. Unfortunately he didn’t live to see his wish fulfilled. But without his actions, one of the great sights of Toulouse would not be where it is today.
You can find information on other Eurostar destinations – including travelling to Bruges – on our site
Photo: ‘Cour de l’hôtel d’Assezat à Toulouse‘ by styeb
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