Located close to the Saint-Sauveur Cathedral, opposite the Théâtre de l’Archevêché, the Hôtel Maynier d’Oppède takes its name from an old family of magistrates. A double entrance door, sculpted in the style of the first half of the reign of Louis XV, opens onto a shaded courtyard that provides, un June and July, an ideal venue for the summer evening concerts and recitals, in particular those of the Académie.

Since 1490, the mansion was part of this old Provencal family of Maynier d'Oppède. This family gave, from 1507 to 1671 four first Presidents (out of twenty-two) including Jean de Maynier.

The building was bought in 1730 by the Thomassin de Saint Paul family, other parliamentarians, who rebuilt it almost entirely.

It was, in addition to the University of Aix, a Faculty of Letters from 1846 to 1950. It is now home to various research and study institutes.

The monument has been the subject of a partial inscription, a partial classification, and total protection as historical monument since 1982.