Over there, at 11 Rue Armény, stands the Hôtel du Commandant du 15e corps. It whispers tales of elegance, war, and artistic gatherings. This building is more than just bricks and mortar. It’s a portal to Marseille’s vibrant past.
The Hôtel du Commandant du 15e corps began its life as a private mansion. In 1760, Arnaud Abdon Bourlat de Force, a savvy merchant, decided to build it. He acquired the land from Nicolas Boismortier. The land originally belonged to the Armény family. Antoine Armény made his fortune in trade with the Orient.
After Bourlat de Force passed away, Dominique Audibert, another wealthy merchant, purchased the Hôtel du Commandant du 15e corps in 1785. Audibert transformed it into a cultural hub. He hosted lavish receptions and gathered a significant art collection. He fostered connections with members of the Academy of Marseille and the Chamber of Commerce. He corresponded with luminaries like Necker and Voltaire. His Hôtel du Commandant du 15e corps became a sought-after literary salon.
In 1800, Charles Delacroix, a former minister, rented a residence here. This was during the establishment of the Bouches-du-Rhône prefecture in Marseille.
The Hôtel du Commandant du 15e corps changed hands again in 1813. General Jean-Baptiste Louis-Philippe d’Ollières, comte du Muy, acquired it. His son Félix du Muy sold the building to Jean-Joseph de Salasc in 1850.
In 1852, the Ministry of War acquired the Hôtel du Commandant du 15e corps. It became the residence of the general commanding the 15th Army Corps. The facade was redone in 1853. The original ironwork and entrance door remained. Later, it served as the officers’ mess.
A significant historical event took place here in 1944. The surrender of the German forces occupying Marseille was signed in the ground floor’s grand hall. General de Monsabert witnessed this momentous occasion.
The facade of the Hôtel du Commandant du 15e corps, including its doors, was listed as a historical monument in October 1930. In 1990, the officers’ mess relocated to Fort Saint-Nicolas. Unicil, a social housing company, bought the building from the Ministry of Defense. They renovated it for use as their headquarters.
Today, the Hôtel du Commandant du 15e corps stands as a reminder of Marseille’s layered history. It encapsulates stories of trade, art, war, and renewal. Its walls hold secrets of merchants, generals, and artists. The Hôtel du Commandant du 15e corps silently observes the passage of time.