The Hôtel de Sagonne
Where is the Hôtel de Sagonne located?
The Hôtel de Sagonne is a superb Marais townhouse nestled at number 28 rue des Tournelles and number 23 boulevard Beaumarchais.
Who was the architect of the Hôtel de Sagonne and when was it built?
The Hôtel de Sagonne is the earliest known work by architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart. It was built in 1667-1668 to celebrate his marriage to Anne Bodin in February 1668.
Who was Jules Hardouin-Mansart and what role did he play in the construction and evolution of the Hôtel de Sagonne?
Jules Hardouin-Mansart was a renowned architect, who became first architect to King Louis XIV in 1681, Superintendent of the King's Buildings, and Count of Sagonne in 1699. He contributed greatly to the transformation and embellishment of the hotel from 1686 onwards, reflecting his newly acquired social status. To this end, he hired some of the best painters and sculptors from the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture of the time, such as Michel Corneille le Jeune, Charles de La Fosse, and Étienne Allegrain.
How did the Hôtel de Sagonne evolve over time, and in particular after the death of Jules Hardouin-Mansart?
After Jules Hardouin-Mansart's death in 1708, the hotel reverted to his son Jacques, comte de Sagonne. However, it's important to note that the hotel was never owned by the architect Mansart de Sagonne, but rather by his father, Jules Hardouin-Mansart, the comte de Sagonne. Subsequently, it passed through the hands of various judicial tenants due to the Count's impecuniosity.
In October 1762, following the Count's death, the Hôtel became the property of his elder sister, Catherine-Henriette. More precisely, it was Anne-Claude-Louise, Catherine-Henriette's daughter and the Marquise d'Arpajon, who inherited it.
Who inherited the Hôtel de Sagonne and what did they do with it?
The Count and Countess de Noailles, son-in-law and daughter of the Marquise d'Arpajon, became the owners of the hotel on the latter's death in 1767. They then sold the property to Marie-Anne Meschin, wife of Alexis Mallet de Largillière, comte de Graville, in August 1777. Over the years, the hotel changed hands several times until the mid-20th century, when it was converted into apartments. It is worth noting that the famous decorator Jacques Garcia occupied the second floor of the hotel in the 1980s and 1990s.
What is the architectural description of the Hôtel de Sagonne?
The Hôtel de Sagonne has a sober stone façade facing the rue des Tournelles, reflecting the simple style practiced by Jules Hardouin-Mansart at the time. However, the façade facing the garden is more ornate, with pediments, reliefs and a vast balcony supported by columns on the second floor. The hotel is particularly renowned for its superb painted decorations, which were rediscovered under old false ceilings in 1924. These include allegorical paintings from the 17th century.
Can we visit the Hôtel de Sagonne today?
Unfortunately, l'Hôtel de Sagonne is currently divided into apartments and is not open to the public. Nevertheless, it has been listed as a historic monument since April 16, 1943, preserving its unique history and architecture for future generations.
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