Isère prefecture, Administrative building in Place de Verdun, Grenoble, France.
The Isère Prefecture is an administrative building on Place de Verdun with a limestone facade and classical architectural elements arranged in symmetrical patterns. It spans the southern side of the square and displays typical neoclassical features with ordered window rows and proportional facade details.
Charles-Auguste Questel designed and constructed this neoclassical structure between 1866 and 1867, using stone from quarries in southern Drôme. The building was created during a period when Grenoble was establishing itself as the region's administrative center and required new public structures.
The second floor displays decorative busts of regional figures from Grenoble and Dauphiné, including Bayard, Lesdiguières, Condillac, Barnave, Mounier, and Vaucanson. These portraits reflect the people who shaped the region's past and identity.
The building sits at the center of Place de Verdun and is easily reached on foot from downtown. Tram line A stops at the Verdun-Préfecture station nearby.
The building holds dual classification status as both an inscribed and classified historical monument, reflecting its exceptional importance in French heritage. This double classification is rare and emphasizes the architectural significance of the structure.
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