The 18th-century private museum and library of Paul Arbaud

The Hôtel Paul Arbaud, located at 2 rue du Quatre-Septembre and rue Mazarine in Aix-en-Provence, is a private museum and library. The building was constructed around 1798 and lies within the heart of the Mazarin quarter, just south of the Cours Mirabeau. Inside, the interior decorations date from the end of the 19th century. On the ground floor, a small hall leads to a beautiful staircase. From the hall, the staircase is marble up to the first intermediate landing, taking a more common form of traditional tiles and a wooden border.

The first floor houses Paul Arbaud’s office, a smoking room, his and his wife’s bedrooms, and a bathroom - a modern convenience for that time. On this floor, the library is part of a collection that today includes more than 148,000 items, including a significant collection of journals and magazines in Provençal from the 19th century. The hotel also boasts a small garden with an ancient aviary attached to the main building.

The museum participates in cultural events in Aix-en-Provence, such as the Aix-en-Provence Biennale. For the 3rd edition of the Biennale, works from the collection are exhibited under the theme "Aix une ville italienne." Other upcoming events include "Regards sur l'histoire du livre" in 2025 and an exhibition featuring the "Formidable Sainte-Victoire" in collaboration with the Aix-en-Provence Museum of Natural History.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons