Auberge de France, Mannerist auberge in Valletta, Malta.
The Auberge de France is a mannerist townhouse in Valletta built to house French knights of the Order of Saint John. Its facade features finely carved stone details, pointed-arch windows, and decorative arches typical of 16th-century Mediterranean architecture.
Girolamo Cassar designed this residence around 1570 when French knights of the Order relocated from Birgu to the new city of Valletta. From 1604 to 1788 it served as the Order's mint, transforming it into a major administrative facility.
The building displays coats of arms and symbols of the French tongue of the Order on its walls, which visitors can still see today. These visual marks tell of the importance this place held for the French knights.
This building sits at a central intersection in Valletta and is easy to locate while walking through the city. The exterior facade is well preserved and visible from public spaces, making it accessible for casual observation while exploring the streets.
The structure incorporates an existing building into its design, resulting in an asymmetrical floor plan that sets it apart. This irregular layout makes it different from the more symmetrical auberges built by other tongues during the same period.
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