Add to ORKGDetail, street entrance portal; The finest secular building in Toulouse is the Hôtel d’Assézat, built to Nicolas Bachelier’s design from 1555 under the direction of Jean Castagné, called Nicot; its size and the use of Classical orders was stylistically influential. [Grove] It was built for Pierre d'Assézat, a rich manufacturer. The construction of the Hôtel began in 1555 and was not yet completed when Pierre d'Assézat died in 1581. It is an outstanding example of Renaissance palace (hôtel particulier) architecture of southern France, with an elaborate decoration of the cour d'honneur (courtyard) influenced by Italian mannerism and by classicism. The use of brick is typical of Toulouse. The Hôtel now belongs to the City of Toulouse and was r...