Our Story
Seven centuries of history in the heart of Occitania
A Historic Site at the Foot of the Ramparts
The land on which Hotel Le Mosaïque stands has been known since the 13th century under the name of "La Rouquette". A medieval manuscript known as the Premier Thalamus already mentions this plot of land where olive groves and kitchen gardens once flourished.
The etymology of "Rouquette" in Occitan refers to a rocky place or a small fortified square — fitting for land situated at the foot of Narbonne's ramparts, described by Victor Hugo himself in 1859: "A very strong city, girded with walls, with two towers at each gate."
Between 1875 and 1878, the demolition of the ramparts freed this land and triggered a genuine real estate frenzy. It was on this 731 m² plot that, between 1881 and 1886, the beautiful residence welcoming you today was born.
A Wine Merchant's Residence
The building is a symbol of the golden age of Languedoc viticulture. Every architectural detail reflects the power and prestige of its wine merchant owners.
Haussmann Style
Moulded facades, richly decorated pediment windows, a double-flight stone entrance — the style of the great Parisian boulevards transposed to Narbonne.
The Domed Tower
The tower with its "ball-joint" dome is the signature of architect Léopold Carlier from Montpellier, whose style can be found in the finest residences of the region.
Botanical Ornaments
The high reliefs adorning the facade — fruits and cornucopias — evoke viticultural prosperity. A direct allusion to the wealth of its merchant owners.
The AF Monogram
The initials AF of Albert Fabre, wine broker and owner from 1905 to 1934, are engraved at the main entrance and painted on the facade overlooking Rue Paul-Louis-Courrier.
The Masters of the House
From the late 18th century to the present day, the residence has belonged to an urban elite: aristocrats, wine merchants, physicians. Each has left their mark on these walls.
The land belonged to Guilhaume Debrach (Justice of the Peace), Guilhaume de Barthez Baron de Montfort (French nobility), and Antoine Milhé (priest). One of the first properties of Narbonne's high society.
Antoine Ferrier, a wine merchant from Sigean, progressively acquired the plots of La Rouquette. The land remained in the family until his daughter Élise, who sold it in 1880 for 200,000 francs.
Builder of the residence. Pierre Tescou constructed a home worthy of his status: wine cellar, cooperage workshop, garden and warehouse. The rear courtyard, where the pool now stands, once echoed with the sound of barrels.
Born in Marseille in 1859, Albert Fabre left his mark literally: his initials AF are engraved on the facade. It was during his ownership, around 1910, that the domed tower was added — as attested by the signature of Narbonne plasterer Joseph Capella: "Capella plâtrier 1910".
The first owner not from the wine world. His arrival marked the end of the golden age of wine merchants, after the viticultural crisis and two world wars.
After a complete restoration led by an Italo-Argentine family passionate about French culture, the residence has been reborn as a 4-star hotel. The story continues.
The Oasis in the Heart of the City
Where the sound of barrels and staves once resonated — the cooperage workshop of Pierre Tescou — there now stretches a lush Mediterranean garden and a heated outdoor pool.
Surrounded by olive trees and aromatic plants, the pool offers a unique relaxation space in the very heart of Narbonne, steps from the Saint-Just Cathedral and the Canal du Midi.
Historical Study
The history of this residence was reconstructed and documented by Nicolas Bolchakoff, a historian and entrepreneur based in Narbonne. After months of research in the departmental archives of the Aude, notarial registers and municipal collections, he traced 7 centuries of history from the hamlet of La Rouquette to the residence welcoming you today.
His study reveals architectural secrets, the genealogy of owners and the role of this residence in the golden age of Languedoc viticulture.
historien-entrepreneur.com →Stay in a Piece of History
15 rooms and suites, Franco-Argentine restaurant, pool — in Narbonne since 1881.