Thursday, January 24, 2008

Preview of Toulouse--Doorways and Courtyards

Hôtel d'Assézat was built in the second half of the XVIth century for Pierre Assézat, a prosperous merchant in the pastel trade that flourished at the time.


When you walk in the courtyard door, this is what you see:




When you turn to leave, walking back out of the door, this is your view. I thought La Belette Rouge would especially love my timing of this photo op! Can you guess why?



Here is a photo of a courtyard and building that I unknowingly stole:



We entered the courtyard, snapped photos, and then the police yelled at us to leave. I can't remember what exactly this government building is. Maybe someone can help me remember?




I love the Toulouse style! Here are some good examples of the famous Toulouse brickwork in Place de la Trinite and St. Etienne.







6 comments:

JP et Dam said...

ah, the hotel particuliers of Toulouse. Did you know that the merchants who built them often were the Capitouls (the consul of the Town who gave their name to the Capitole), capitouls comes from the latin word for head.
There are several Hotel particuliers in Toulouse, Assezat is widely known because of it's location and also because there is a museum there, Bernuy, located in the Lycee Fermat is also quite famous.
Now for the littles story, the merchants always wanted to show off how wealthy they were and the height of their towers were a way to do so...
My aunt used to live Rue St Ursule, downtown (behind La Daurade) and we were able to go on top of the tower of their building, narrow staircase, but the view... incredible.
Now if you look at satellite images of Toulouse, you will find that there are many houses with an inside cour like the one you took a picture of, sometimes tiny, sometimes more like the one you discovered (I'm wondering if it's some sort of consulate or something).

Cécy said...

Hmmm sorry, I'm the one who posted above. I was signed in under my dad's blog because i was helping him out.

Cassoulet Cafe said...

Salut Cecy :) Thank you for your much appreciated history commentary...we make a good team, non? :)
We saw some really beautiful courtyards, like you mentioned, by just walking through doorways (led by a native Toulousain) but I never had my camera when we found th really spectacular ones. That is my mission this trip, to take photos of them.

My Inner French Girl said...

Bonjour, CC! I love love love French architecture. Merci for sharing your photos!

Salut,
Marjorie

La Belette Rouge said...

Red shoes and red coat!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Love-love-love!!I wish I was going to be in Toulouse when you are. Bad timing on my part! Why don't you come in July and be my tour guide :-)

Cassoulet Cafe said...

Marjorie, Glad you are enjoying them! :)

LBR,
When I snapped this photo, I didn't even know what I had captured until we got home and I uploaded onto my computer. I was laughing so hard, because it was just perfect! Red/red...and then a guy stepping over the chain in mid-step...hee hee!
I'm still in shock that you are going to Toulouse ;)...I will have to buy another plane ticket and meet you there as your personal tour guide! (*sigh* I wish...and I still can't believe Rachael gets to do this on THREE travel shows! Can I just have one???)