AU COEUR DU QUARTIER SAINT-ÉTIENNE

The upmarket district known as the "antique dealers" developed from the 17th century onwards. Further away from the merchants' quarter (rue Saint-Rome), they lived a rustic life of vegetable gardening and more humble trades.

With the advent of the Parlement in 1444, the houses housing the royal power became the seat of one of the most influential courts of justice in the kingdom. The magistrates decided to settle on the modest plots of land in this district to take advantage of the prestigious and spiritual aura of the episcopal city. In the 18th century, the town enjoyed an incredible judicial aura, handling criminal cases that played a part in the history of France.

This part of the city also attracted the nobility of the robe, thanks to its new pleasure gardens and the prestige of the nearby Canal du Midi.

The town houses, built in the classical style between courtyards and gardens, rival each other in beauty with their wrought ironwork and the two-tone combination of white stone and brick. Sometimes, you can even enter a courtyard of honour to admire the mascarons and regular lines of these exceptional residences.