Palais de l'archevêché d'Aix-en-Provence

The Archbishop's Palace is a 17th-century episcopal residence in central Aix-en-Provence featuring a grand stone facade with classical proportions and a decorated main entrance. The building extends across multiple floors with rooms that once served as living quarters for church leaders and now house collections and exhibition spaces.

Construction of this palace began in 1650 and continued until 1730 under architect Laurent Vallon's direction, creating a grand home for the city's religious leaders. The long building process shows how architectural styles evolved over the decades from early to late 17th-century tastes.

The building houses a tapestry museum on its ground floor, where three major collections - the Grotesque, the Story of Don Quixote, and the Russian Games - reveal artistic traditions from different periods and regions.

The palace is open to visitors daily with varying hours depending on the season, with longer hours available during the warmer months. Check beforehand which areas are accessible during your visit, as not all rooms are always open to the public.

The main staircase built in 1670 has an unusual diagonal layout with a double turn, a rare feature in French architecture of that period. This distinctive design shows the creative solutions the architect developed for the interior spaces.