Prefecture hotel of Pas-de-Calais, Government administrative building in central Arras, France
The Prefecture Hotel of Pas-de-Calais is an administrative building in Arras featuring a symmetrical facade with a central pavilion and two matching wings that frame a spacious courtyard. The interior grounds are organized around geometric flower beds and planted areas that give the space formal structure and visual order.
The building was constructed in 1770 as a bishop's residence for Bishop de Conzié and became the seat of the Pas-de-Calais administration in 1800 following the French Revolution. After a major fire destroyed much of the interior in 1836, it was carefully reconstructed by 1856 with its original external appearance restored.
The ornamental stone carvings at the entrance were created by sculptor Louis-Victor Bougron and reflect the craftsmanship expected in French administrative buildings of that era. These details remain visible to visitors passing through the courtyard.
The building is fully accessible to visitors with mobility needs, with ramps and accessible pathways throughout the courtyard and main entrance areas. Since this is an active government office, public access may be limited to certain areas and visiting hours should be confirmed in advance.
A devastating fire in 1836 damaged much of the interior, but architects chose to rebuild the outer walls with extreme precision, matching every detail of the original design. This meticulous restoration meant that from the outside, visitors see a structure that appears unchanged from its first construction.
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