PRÉFECTURE / HOTEL DU DEPARTEMENT

Here stood since the 12th century and until 1789 the palace of the counts-bishops of Mende. In 1804, this large building was assigned a brand new institution: the Prefecture. It was then attached to the cathedral, presenting, rue de la Rovère, a large Romanesque facade. The interior was notably decorated with ceilings painted by Besnard in the 17th century. Unfortunately, almost all of this beautiful palace was destroyed by fire in 1888. The reconstruction was entrusted to the departmental architect Germer Durand who chose a fairly sober neoclassical style, since only the red limestone corner chains punctuate the 'building. It was during these works that the rue de la Rovère was pierced, thus separating the old palace from the cathedral. Since 1982, the building has housed the Prefecture but also the Departmental Council. The only element still visible from the old palace, the main door is listed as a Historic Monument. "The current prefecture consists of a main pavilion and a second to the east. The door is made of oak and walnut. It consists of two movable leaves and, in one of these, a gate to the ordinary passage. Sculpted motifs representing two lion heads, foliage..." (Mérimée database - Historic monuments).

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