Paris1972-Versailles2003

Well once again found me a nice picture in my cd rom vault that should be in my blog for you and me, This is venerable square in my eternal Paris of many nice architecturally and historical buildings as this one is. Behold, see my other post on the place des Vosges in my blog. This deserve a post of its own for its historical value, me think, Therefore, let me tell you my take on the Hôtel de Coulanges ,place des Vosges of Paris !!!  Hope you enjoy the post as I.

 The Place des Vosges (see posts) built in the 17C and lined with 36 private mansions with illustrious inhabitants, it is the oldest of the royal squares in Paris. The 36 private mansions are done six on each side of the square, were built according to a uniform plan. Each building was to have a stone ground floor, two upper floors made of brick and stone, and a slate roof. Each level of each pavilion was lit by four windows. The proportions were also very precise: the height of the roofs had to be equal to their width, as well as half that of the facade. This is the secret, in a way, of the harmony of the Place des Vosges! Two pavilions, however, stand out. First, on the south side, is the King’s Pavilion, the first. Majestic with a first level of stone, enhanced by fluted and twin pilasters. Then, on the north side, is the Queen’s Pavilion. 

Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, aka the Marquise de Sévigné or simply Madame de Sévigné, was born in Paris in 1626 at the Hôtel de Coulanges, the home of her maternal grandparents, where her parents were also living. She was baptized the following day, February 6, at the Church of Saint-Paul (see post) in Paris. The Hôtel de Coulanges was built in 1607 for Philippe I de Coulanges, Madame de Sévigné’s maternal grandfather. Her parents occupied the entire second floor of the Vosges wing. She lived in this hôtel until it was sold by the family in 1637, until she was eleven years old. This residence should not be confused with the Hôtel de Coulanges on the rue des Francs-Bourgeois, where Marie lived later until her marriage. The hôtel is located in the 4éme arrondissement of Paris, at 1 bis Place des Vosges and 11 bis Rue de Birague.(see pic)  It adjoins the King’s Pavilion at 1 Place des Vosges. The Post-Impressionist painter Georges Dufrénoy lived there from 1871 to 1914, before moving to number 23, the Hôtel de Bassompierre. Around 1910-1912, the contemporary dancer Isadora Duncan rented the building with Paris Singer (one of the sons of Isaac Singer, founder of the company that bears his name). The two lovers had the reception room transformed into a dance hall with a grand staircase. It became a performance space where Isadora could develop innovative choreographies. For info there is an exposition at the Musée Carnavalet in Paris « Madame de Sévigné. Lettres parisiennes » 400e anniversary of her birth; from now until August 23 , 2026. See my posts on the Carnavalet museum of Paris in my blog.

The building was purchased in 1963 by Béatrice Cottin, daughter of the banker Emmanuel Derode, founder of BFCE ( Banque française du commerce extérieur ). She undertook renovations that would last more than 40 years: first restoration, then a rental project comprising about fifteen apartments. On October 31, 2009, the building was occupied by the Jeudi Noir collective, which defends the right to housing for low-income students. Around thirty students and young people in precarious situations moved in, pledging to respect the premises. On October 22, the Court of Appeal upheld the eviction order. The following day, they were evicted after a year of occupation. In June 2016, several media outlets announced the acquisition of the Hôtel de Coulanges by Xavier Niel boss of Free (mobile tel operator). According to information from Challenges magazine, the businessman pledged to keep the hotel in his family’s possession for at least fifteen years while creating a “Béatrice Cottin Space” housing a museum or gallery open to the public. However, up to now the attractive red brick facade, typical of the Place des Vosges, houses no fewer than fifteen apartments, for a living area of ​​approximately 2300 square meters.

The Paris tourist office on the place des Vosges :   https://parisjetaime.com/eng/transport/place-des-vosges-p1907

There you go folks, a dandy and must visit in Paris. I am just glad finally have it in my blog! The Place des Vosges is one more reason to come to Paris indeed ; And do walk around and see these wonderful buildings of beautiful architecture and great history. Again, hope you have enjoy the post on the Hôtel de Coulanges, place des Vosges of Paris !!! as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!