Hôtel Saint-Pol (or Hôtel Saint-Paul)

What is the Hôtel Saint-Pol and where was it located?

The Hôtel Saint-Pol, alternatively spelled Hôtel Saint-Paul, was a royal residence built during the Hundred Years' War in Paris, on the right bank of the Seine.
It was located in the historic Saint-Paul district, part of the Marais remarkable heritage site.

Who commissioned the construction of the Hôtel Saint-Pol and why?

The Hôtel Saint-Pol was commissioned by Charles V, then dauphin, after an incident in Paris in 1358 when bourgeois citizens led by Étienne Marcel invaded the Palais de la Cité. Charles V wanted a residence outside Philippe Auguste's ramparts, to escape the nuisances of the city and to have easy access to the stronghold of Vincennes.

How was the Hôtel Saint-Pol built?

Hôtel Saint-Pol was made up of four pre-existing properties, purchased successively by Charles V between 1361 and 1366. These properties were the Hôtel du Comte d'Étampes, the Hôtel des abbés de Saint-Maur, the manor house of wood merchant Simon Verjal, and the Hôtel des archevêques de Sens. Later, in 1418, the house of Jehan de Roussy was added.

How was Hôtel Saint-Pol organized?

The Hôtel Saint-Pol was composed of several buildings linked by galleries that opened onto the gardens. It had a main entrance on rue Saint-Paul and another on quai de la Seine. It included the Queen's palace, the King's palace and the royal children's lodgings.

What was the description of the interior of the Hôtel Saint-Pol?

Every building in the Hôtel Saint-Pol was richly decorated, with banqueting halls, guest rooms and rooms lavishly adorned with precious woods, paintings and silverware. Charles V had decorated the walls with pearl-embroidered hangings, and many pieces of furniture were adorned with jewels of goldsmith's art. The hotel also housed a valuable collection of books, which contributed to the creation of the Royal Library.

What important functions did the Hôtel Saint-Pol serve?

The Hôtel Saint-Pol was the seat of government, where Charles V installed the Grand Council and the maîtres des requêtes. In addition, a large square tower housed part of the royal treasury. It was therefore a crucial location for royal affairs.

What happened after the Hôtel Saint-Pol's royal period?

After the death of Charles VI, the Hôtel Saint-Pol went through a period of royal disaffection. It was divided up and rented out to various deserving servants. It wasn't until Francis I, who sold off several unoccupied royal hotels in Paris, that the Hôtel Saint-Pol was transformed into various lots, marking the end of its royal era.

Are there any remains of the Hôtel Saint-Pol today?

Unfortunately, all the buildings of the Hôtel Saint-Pol disappeared when the land was subdivided in 1544. However, some of the buildings erected on the grounds of the former hotel still bear vestiges of its history, such as the Hôtel Fieubet or La Vallette, built on part of the site of the Hôtel Saint-Pol.

The Hôtel Saint-Pol is an important testimony to the royal history of Paris, the lives of the sovereigns of the time, and the architecture and art of the Middle Ages.

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