Hôtel d'Arbaud-Jouques, hôtel particulier on Cours Mirabeau, Aix-en-Provence, France

Hôtel d'Arbaud-Jouques stands at 19, Cours Mirabeau and 17, rue Courteissade in Aix-en-Provence. Its pale beige stone facade, the widest on the north side of the Cours Mirabeau, has eight openings on each of three levels and a balustraded balcony. The central door has carved walnut panels and a carved medallion above; the ground-floor windows are protected by black metal grilles.

The widow of Jacques Arbaud bought the left-hand Hôtel de Valbelle-Meyrargues in 1695, and her son André-Elzéard d'Arbaud de Jouques later bought the right-hand Hôtel de Séguiran. In 1732 the architect Jean-Baptiste Franque combined the two into a single hôtel particulier. King Charles IV of Spain stayed here as a guest in 1812, and the building has been a listed monument historique since 1990.

The name joins two families: the widow of Jacques Arbaud bought the left house in 1695, and her son André-Elzéard d'Arbaud de Jouques bought the right one before the 1732 merger. The walnut door panels and the wrought-iron balcony pieces are the carved and forged details to look for.

The mansion is a private residence and not open to the public; its facade is seen from the street. The main front, the longest on the north side of the Cours Mirabeau, is at 19 Cours Mirabeau, with a second address at 17 rue Courteissade. Look for the carved walnut door panels and the ironwork of the balustraded balcony above the entrance.

The 1732 merger by architect Jean-Baptiste Franque joined the former Hôtel de Valbelle-Meyrargues, bought by Jacques Arbaud's widow in 1695, with the Hôtel de Séguiran acquired by her son André-Elzéard d'Arbaud de Jouques. The walnut door leaves and wrought-iron balcony work are the facade's own ornaments; the listing dates from 5 November 1990.