Hôtel Durbé

Hôtel Durbé is a neoclassical private mansion located at 86 Quai de la Fosse in Nantes. The building showcases tuffeau stone and granite construction with well-balanced facades and decorative balconies throughout its exterior.

The mansion was built in 1756 under the design of architect Pierre Rousseau, commissioned by ship captain Claude Durbé who had acquired the site. The structure emerged as part of Nantes' development as a major hub of French maritime trade and merchant wealth.

The mansion embodies the aesthetic choices of wealthy merchants who shaped Nantes during its period of maritime commerce and prosperity. Walking past its facade, you sense how the residents wanted to display their success and refinement.

The mansion sits at the corner of Quai de la Fosse and Rue Mathurin-Brissonneau in the Dervallières-Zola district, easily accessible on foot. Its street-level position makes it straightforward to view from public areas without needing special arrangements.

The structure displays a noticeable lean to one side, a consequence of being built on unstable ground that required specific design adjustments during construction. This physical oddity becomes apparent when examining the building's alignment with surrounding structures.

Location: Nantes

Architects: Pierre Rousseau

Architectural style: Neoclassicism

GPS coordinates: 47.20860,-1.56914

Latest update: December 9, 2025 20:22