Architecture

Palais du Roure

Avignon

The Palais du Roure in Avignon has a history that begins in 1469, when Pierre Baroncelli of Florence acquired a tavern known as La Taverne du Mûrier and transformed it, along with neighboring houses, into his residence. The Baroncelli family later became important in Avignon through their connection with legate Julien della Rovere, who became pope as Julius II. In the 19th century, the building, then known as the hôtel de Baroncelli-Javon, was nicknamed the Palais du Roure by Frédéric Mistral. It was also the property of Marquis Folco de Baroncelli-Javon and became a center of Félibrige activity. Sold in 1908, the Palais was saved in 1918 by Jeanne de Flandreysy after suffering considerable damage. She established a Mediterranean cultural center there. In 1936, after her marriage to Commandant Émile Espérandieu, the institution gained greater recognition. The Fondation Flandreysy-Espérandieu was created, and the city of Avignon inherited it in 1944. The museum collections focus on regional history and sociology, and the Palais is classified as a historical monument.

Map showing the location of Palais du Roure in Avignon
Location of Palais du Roure in Avignon

Nearby Objects

From Private Residence to Cultural Center

In 1469, Pierre Baroncelli, a Ghibelline from Florence, acquired a tavern known as La Taverne du Muirer in Avignon and transformed it, together with neighboring houses, into his residence. The Baroncelli family later became prominent in Avignon through their connection with the legate Julien della Rovere, who became Pope Julius II in 1503. In the 19th century, the building, then known as the hotel de Baroncelli-Javon, was nicknamed the palais du Roure by Frederic Mistral. It belonged to Marquis Folco de Baroncelli-Javon and became a center of Felibrige activity in Avignon.

The Palais was sold in 1908, then saved in 1918 by Jeanne de Flandreysy after it had suffered considerable damage. She decided to establish a Mediterranean cultural center there. After her marriage in 1936 to Commandant Emile Esperandieu, an archaeologist and member of the Institut, the institution gained greater recognition. The Fondation Flandreysy-Esperandieu was created, and the city of Avignon inherited it in 1944. The Palais now houses museum collections focused on regional history and sociology, which are accessible to the public. It is also classified as a historical monument.