Hôtel de Cabre, Gothic-Renaissance mansion in 2nd arrondissement, Marseille, France.
The Hôtel de Cabre is a three-story Renaissance residence located where two streets meet, featuring mullioned windows and ornamental stonework throughout its structure. The building displays fine craftsmanship with carved details and decorative elements that remain visible on all sides.
Built in 1535 by Louis Cabre, a leading civic official in Marseille, the house reflects the city's prosperity during that era. It narrowly avoided destruction in 1943 when German forces demolished structures near the Old Port during World War II.
The façade displays statues of Louis Cabre, his wife, and Saint James, representing the family's faith and status in the city. These carved figures remain visible reminders of who lived here and what they valued.
The building sits near the Old Port and is easily accessible on foot from central Marseille, allowing visitors to view it from the street. The narrow lanes of this neighborhood invite leisurely walking to appreciate architectural details up close.
The most striking feature is the relocation of the entire structure in 1954, when engineers rotated it 90 degrees and moved it 15 meters to accommodate new urban plans. The original street name "rue Bonneterie" remains inscribed on the façade despite the building's new alignment.
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