Urban Structure and Medieval Heritage
The architectural appearance of Agen was shaped by two main factors: its location on the Garonne River and its status as an administrative centre. The historic core of the city has preserved dense medieval buildings, characterised by narrow winding streets and the use of local brick combined with stone.
- Romanesque Style and Gothic (12th–15th centuries):
The dominant feature of this period is the Cathedral of Saint-Caprais (Cathédrale Saint-Caprais). Its apse is executed in the Romanesque style with thick walls and semi-circular arches, while the nave, rebuilt later, demonstrates Gothic vaults. The building is included in the UNESCO World Heritage list as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela.
Civil architecture is represented on Rue des Cornières. Here, stone arcades and half-timbered houses have been preserved, creating the atmosphere of a medieval trading city.
- Brick Gothic:
The Jacobins Church (Église des Jacobins) is a striking example of Southern French Gothic. The building, constructed of brick, is distinguished by the severity of its forms and powerful buttresses, characteristic of the architecture of mendicant orders.
Renaissance and Classicism
In the 16th and 17th centuries, thanks to economic growth, the city was enriched with private mansions (hôtels particuliers), built for the local nobility and wealthy bourgeoisie. These buildings are often hidden behind modest facades, but inside they conceal luxurious courtyards and staircases.
- Renaissance (16th century):
The complex of buildings that now houses the Museum of Fine Arts (Musée des Beaux-Arts) includes the mansions Hôtel d'Estrades and Hôtel de Vaurs. They are characterised by spiral staircases, galleries with loggias, and elegant stone decor inspired by Italian art.
- Classicism (17th–18th centuries):
The Prefecture building (former episcopal palace) demonstrates the symmetry, strict proportions, and monumentality typical of French Classicism of that era.
19th Century Urbanism and Haussmannisation
In the 19th century, Agen underwent radical changes, following the general French trend of urban modernisation set by Baron Haussmann in Paris. This was a time of large-scale engineering projects and the redevelopment of the city grid.
- Eclecticism and Second Empire Urban Planning:
The laying of the Boulevard de la République in the late 19th century literally "cut through" the medieval centre. The wide straight thoroughfare is lined with buildings featuring ornate facades, balconies, and mansard roofs, combining elements of Classics and Baroque. This created a new commercial and promenade axis for the city.
- Engineering Architecture:
The Agen Canal Bridge (Pont-canal d'Agen) is a masterpiece of engineering thought made of cut stone. Although it is a technical structure, its 23 arches give it a monumental and aesthetically complete look, harmoniously fitting into the river landscape.
Art Nouveau and Early 20th Century
At the turn of the century, buildings appeared in the city reflecting new technological possibilities, in particular the use of reinforced concrete hidden behind decorative facades.
- Neoclassicism with Art Nouveau Elements:
The Ducourneau Theatre (Théâtre Ducourneau), built in the early 20th century, became one of the first buildings in France made of reinforced concrete. Externally, it is stylised as classical, but the interiors and structural solutions (such as the dome) were innovative for their time.