Date: 17th, 18th century
Period: Classical
Type: religious architecture
Status: property of the City of Arles, classified as a historic monument (1922, 1959)
The façade of the archbishop's palace
on Place de la République
The sober façade of the former archbishop's palace stands to the east of Place de la République.
Associated from the Middle Ages with the seat of the Church of Arles, the building has undergone numerous transformations, the history and legibility of which remain problematic.
Nevertheless, it remains a fine example of classical Arles architecture.
The monument's original function disappeared during the French Revolution.
Since then, it has been used for a variety of civilian purposes, notably as a municipal library from 1829 to 1988, and now as a university campus.
Little is known about the physiognomy of the medieval building, given the paucity of archaeological remains and documentary sources.
Moreover, the modern palace itself has undergone numerous modifications, particularly in the 19th century. Architectural studies are therefore particularly complicated.
What remains of the 17th-century building are the entrance porch, the monumental staircase and the rooms decorated with murals, woodwork and stucco.
The staircase, the archbishops' study and the ceiling of the former bishops' bathroom are listed as historic monuments.
These elements, added to the sober, majestic layout of the 18th-century façade (also listed), are nonetheless a fine example of classical architecture in Arles.