Maison de l'Infante, 17th-century house in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, France.
Maison de l'Infante is a 17th-century house in Saint-Jean-de-Luz featuring two Italian galleries with five arches, red brick walls, and stone towers on its facade. The building stands near the port and combines Italian and French architectural styles in its distinctive design.
The house was built around 1640 by shipowner Joannot de Haraneder and became an important venue in 1660. It hosted Maria Theresa of Spain during her marriage to Louis XIV that June, marking a significant political moment for France.
The front room contains a large 17th-century fireplace adorned with crowned dolphins and cherub heads that reflect French aristocratic taste. These decorations show how wealthy families expressed their status through elaborate interior details.
The building sits on Rue de l'Infante near the port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz with good access to public transportation. The location is convenient for visitors exploring the city on foot, as the historic quarter is easily walkable from nearby areas.
The ceiling beams in the main room display decorative patterns from the Fontainebleau school showing mythical creatures and exotic flowers. These ornamental details were rediscovered in 1996, revealing a hidden layer of the original interior decoration.
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