Ancien hôtel de Pelletier

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Ministère de la Culture, in French. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Ministère de la Culture; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

History

Originating from Tuchan, the Pelletier came to settle in Carcassonne towards the end of the 15th century, after having enriched themselves in the wool trade. Their eldest sons are councillors of the king; the younger sons become canons of the cathedral chapter. The Pelletier inhabited the site before the construction of the present building. The first building doubtless suffered during the war waged in 1590 between the Cité and the Lower Town. Peace restored, the building was entirely rebuilt. In the 19th century, the hotel was converted into a tenement building. The ceilings in the French style have been preserved but, for the most part, concealed by false ceilings in brick and plaster. As it stands, this building is the only hotel of the Henri IV period which has been preserved in its entirety in Carcassonne. The dwelling stands on a square plan, with the staircase at one corner. At the rear, the garden is separated from the courtyard by the outbuildings. These outbuildings open onto the garden by three round arches. In the eastern corner, near the house, there still exists a well at the base of which is found the opening of a passage. The other exit of this underground passage must have led into the cellar. The cellar, vaulted with barrel vault, opens by a door with ogee arch, decoration of a type earlier than the rest of the building, which might suggest that the 1602 construction was carried out while preserving the bases of the earlier building. On the front, the main façade comprises a ground floor, a first storey with high ceilings and a more modest second storey. Built within a space of nearly square plan, the staircase is of two parallel flights, separated by a wall string. The angles of this wall are chamfered and moulded with a doucine. The landings are supported by groin vaults. On the first storey, the room has preserved its ceiling of exposed beams and joists. On the ground floor there is a large fireplace presenting a vertical hood with three panels. The central panel is framed by two pilasters decorated with large seahorses. Two smaller side panels frame the central panel. The lateral pilasters are ornamented with foliage.