The Hôtel d'Albret: A historical treasure in the heart of Paris

Where is the Hôtel d'Albret, and what is its special status?

The hôtel d'Albret, also known as the hôtel Jeanne d'Albret, is a private mansion located at 29bis and 31 rue des Francs-Bourgeois, in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. It was classified as a historic monument in 1889 and now houses the Direction des Affaires culturelles de la Ville de Paris.

What is the history of the Hôtel d'Albret?

The history of the Hôtel d'Albret dates back to the 16th century. In 1545, Pierre Le Jay, the King's Treasurer Extraordinaire, had his residence built on 5 plots of land in the Culture Sainte-Catherine subdivision.
Over the years, the estate changed owners several times, passing through the hands of personalities such as Constable Anne de Montmorency, Marion Bandini, Pierre Le Charron, Gabriel de Guénégaud du Plessis, Henri de Guénégaud, César-Phoebus d'Albret, Jean-Baptiste Brunet de Chailly, Pierre Brunet, and Jean-Baptiste-Charles du Tillet.

What are the outstanding architectural features of the Hôtel d'Albret?

The Hôtel d'Albret boasts some remarkable architecture. The building on the street features a rocaille style, with a portal adorned with a cartouche surmounted by the head of a winged animal surrounded by garlands of flowers. The main building was remodeled around 1680-1700, but retains Renaissance features such as a slate roof and arched dormers flanked by pilasters. A gilded balcony overlooking the street was designed by the locksmith Hallé. The portal is also topped by a decorative cartouche, and the arched doorway, the work of Jean-Baptiste Martin le Jeune, features an oculus under which is sculpted Hercules wearing the skin of the Nemean lion.

How did the hotel's use evolve over time?

During the 19th century and until the early 1970s, the Hôtel d'Albret was used for commercial and craft purposes, notably by the lustrerie Robert Redon, which added a gallery in the garden.
However, this activity led to a significant reduction in the size of the garden, leaving Philippe-Auguste's tower outside the hotel.

Since 2007, the Hôtel d'Albret garden has been part of a larger public garden, Joseph-Migneret rose garden. The photo on the right shows a view of the Hôtel d'Albret from the Joseph Migneret garden.

What is the current status of the Hôtel d'Albret?

In 1975, the Hôtel d'Albret was acquired by the City of Paris, and in 1989 it was restored to become the headquarters of the Direction des Affaires culturelles de la Ville de Paris, where activities linked to the city's culture and history continue to be preserved and promoted.

Summary return of the private mansions of the Marais