Paris1972-Versailles2003

I have to tell you again on my Versailles, always will be there for me, My memorable moments here are endless, if Paris is worth a Republic, Versailles is worth a Kingdom ! This is Versailles where we spent the first 9+ years of our lives, and keep many nice memorable moments. Of course, Versailles is the capital City of the department 78 of Yvelines in the Île de France region of my belle France, I found me a picture in my cd rom vault ,that needs to be in my blog for you and me, Therefore, this is my take on the Pavillon de La Lanterne of Versailles !!! Hope you enjoy this post as I.

The Pavillon de La Lanterne is a former hunting lodge; it likely takes its name from the lantern turret that once crowned the pavilion of the nearby royal menagerie. It sits on the outskirts of the palace, and is the Versailles residence of the Presidents of the French Republic (France). It consists of a U-shaped, single-story building; the main section measures approximately 20 meters in length and 6 meters in width, flanked on either side by lower though more modern long wings that frame a gravel courtyard. The ground floor features a large living room , a dining room, and an office. Upstairs, there are five bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms to accommodate guests. One wing houses staff quarters and the kitchen, while the other is used for building security services. The left wing includes two studio apartments fitted out during Nicolas Sarkozy’s presidency. A tree-lined driveway connects the courtyard to the D10 road 200 meters away; two stag busts surmount the gate providing access to the château. The property includes a large garden with a swimming pool and tennis court hidden from the view of presidential staff working in the left wing. The four-hectare estate is entirely enclosed by high walls. The Pavillon de La Lanterne is not open to the public, of course,

A bit of history I like tell us that this plot of land, gifted to the Count of Noailles , father of the Prince of Poix , by King Louis XV, is situated on the edge of the royal menagerie at Versailles, which no longer exists. The current pavilion was built in 1787 for the Prince of Poix, before being abandoned during the French revolution, The Pavillon de la Lanterne was alienated like the other buildings of the Château de Versailles (see posts) before being repurchased by the Crown in 1818 during the Restoration. Between 1847 and 1848, it served as the residence for the director of the Ménagerie stud farm, and subsequently, from 1848 onwards, for the director of the Agronomic Institute that replaced the stud farm. From 1872, it was leased to various notable figures, including the American millionaire James Gordon Bennett Jr. Following the Liberation in WWII, the pavilion was officially added to the list of republican residences. It was rented by Deputy Prime Minister Félix Gouin, and later by the US Ambassador to France, David Bruce, who lived there from 1949 to 1952. André Le Troquer, President of the National Assembly, was the tenant until 1958. In 1959, by decision of General de Gaulle, this former hunting lodge was reserved for the use of the incumbent Prime Minister as a holiday residence. André Malraux, then Minister of Culture, secured.and.was granted permission to stay there from 1962 to 1969. Michel Rocard, Prime Minister from 1988 to 1991, oversaw renovations and the construction of a swimming pool and tennis court, and frequently used the residence to recharge during his time as head of government. La Lanterne was also a favorite retreat for Lionel Jospin, who would go there to unwind with his wife, the philosopher Sylviane Agacinski. Between 1997 and 2002, the Jospins made a habit of visiting La Lanterne every weekend to play tennis and stay in the private apartments. In May 2007, shortly after winning the presidential election, Nicolas Sarkozy spent his first weekend there on May 12 and 13 as President-elect (though not yet inaugurated), accompanied by his wife, Cécilia, at the official invitation of outgoing Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin. Shortly after their civil wedding ceremony at the Élysée Palace, President Sarkozy and his new wife, Carla Bruni, hosted their wedding dinner there on February 3, 2008, with only a few close friends and family members present. Nicolas Sarkozy’s successors, François Hollande and Emmanuel Macron, have also used the residence for private purposes.

The official Presidential palace Elysée on the Lanterne: https://www.elysee.fr/en/french-presidency/la-lanterne

The official Yvelines dept 78 govt site on the Lanterne: https://www.yvelines-infos.fr/la-lanterne-gentilhommiere-bien-gardee-de-la-republique/

There you go folks, enjoy this masterpiece of architecture and history in my dear Versailles, even if just seeing from the outside and far, It is on the road D10 dir Saint Cyr l’école, left side of the Grand Canal, not visible from the road, Again, hope you enjoy the post on the Pavillon de La Lanterne of Versailles !!! as I.

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