Hôtel de Ferrare, Historical monument in Fontainebleau, France.

The Hôtel de Ferrare survives as a stretch of brick and sandstone wall on the rue de Ferrare, pierced by a massive rusticated gateway in the Tuscan order. Two columns of stacked stone blocks flank a wooden door beneath a radiating arch and a triangular pediment with a blank medallion. Behind it stand the four-storey buildings of the Boufflers barracks around a rectangular courtyard.

Founded in the 16th century as the residence of a cardinal, the Hôtel de Ferrare was designed with a portal by Italian architect Sebastiano Serlio. After the hotel disappeared, its portal was walled into the cavalry barracks. In 1887 the Saint-Honoré district was renamed Boufflers after Louis François de Boufflers, who died at Fontainebleau. The military quarter and its pavilion date from the 18th century.

The gateway is the work of the Italian architect Sebastiano Serlio, built in the 16th century for the Hôtel de Ferrare. Its rusticated Tuscan order, with banded columns and a triangular pediment, carries Italian Renaissance forms into Fontainebleau. The name Boufflers, given to the military quarter in 1887, honours Louis François de Boufflers, who died at Fontainebleau.

Visitors should know that not all areas of the complex are open to the public since different sections are under separate management. It is worth checking ahead of time which sections are available for viewing.

The building sustained damage to its historic wall in 2001 from an accident. Renovation plans were developed to add better lighting that would highlight its architectural features.