Story of a Renaissance: the Richer de Belleval Hotel featured by ‘O2’
A place that spans history
‘O2 Weekend, the magazine of the newspaper l’Opinion highlights one of the current hotel trends: escaping to an upcycled luxury hotel. These establishments, which had fallen into oblivion, such as old train stations, heirless castles, or abandoned public buildings, are now experiencing a second life.
The Richer de Belleval Hotel, a member of the Relais & Châteaux network, opened its doors in the summer of 2021. Before becoming a five-star establishment, the building has a history that begins in 1128. Originally the palace of Guilhem VI, it was destroyed during the religious wars. Abandoned until 1676, it was rebuilt by the botanist Pierre Richer de Belleval and later became Montpellier’s town hall until 1975. It then housed the Labour Court until 2010.
Between contemporary art and deep-rooted tradition
The article from ‘O2’ highlights the combination of contemporary artworks and this historically rich site. Indeed, the Richer de Belleval Hotel houses numerous pieces, including works by Jim Dine, Abdelkader Benchamma, and Jan Fabre. It is a true hybrid space that blends modern culture with historical heritage.
Read the full article here.
