Hôtel Reynès

About

The Hôtel Reynès, the home of a wealthy pastel merchant, is the symbol of this success story, where the marriage of stone and brick is of rare elegance. Today, it is the showcase for the Tarn’s destinations.

A jewel of Renaissance style and a witness to the rich history of the pastel industry

Here you are in the courtyard of the mansion belonging to the family of Roger Reynès, a wealthy pastel merchant, built between 1520 and 1530 and listed as a Historic Monument by the Ministry of Culture in 1862.

All around you :

THE RENAISSANCE-STYLE TOWER (15TH CENTURY)
This former tower of the St-Jacques hospital was raised following the ennoblement of the Reynès family in 1583 to symbolise their upward social mobility. The wealth of a family was measured by the height of its towers, and the Reynès tower is one of the tallest in Albi!

THE ITALIAN-STYLE LOGGIA
With its curved columns with Tuscan capitals and basket-handle arches, the loggia is designed in the image of Italian mansions. Its spandrels are decorated with finely chiselled laurel branches.

TWO ILLUSTRIOUS SCULPTED PORTRAITS IN TRIBUTE TO A ROYAL VISIT
The most remarkable elements are the sculpted portraits of Francis I and his second wife Eleanor of Austria. Roger Reynès is said to have had them sculpted in the hope that the king would visit his residence when he came to the Albigensian region in 1533. He never admired them, preferring to go to Cordes sur Ciel! On the same façade, the Reynès family’s carved coat of arms (16th century) can be seen above the door leading to the secondary courtyard (closed to the public), which housed the stables.

THE TOUR CONTINUES IN THE ESPACE REYNÈS
Discover the Salle de la cheminée, a former reception room, and an exhibition and discovery area for the Tarn.

Free admission.

Spoken languages : English – French

Location