par Discover the magnificent HĂ´tel de Rothelin-Charolais at 101 rue de Grenelle in Paris’ distinguished 7th arrondissement, an architectural masterpiece that exemplifies the transition from late Baroque to early RĂ©gence style. Built between 1703 and 1704 for Philippe d’OrlĂ©ans, Marquis de Rothelin, this grand mansion stands as a testament to early 18th-century French architectural refinement.
Attributed to architect Pierre Cailleteau dit Lassurance, a close collaborator of Jules Hardouin-Mansart who worked on the dome of Les Invalides, the hĂ´tel showcases the evolving architectural tastes at the end of Louis XIV’s reign. Its design anticipates the lighter, more graceful RĂ©gence style that would flourish after the Sun King’s death in 1715.
The mansion gained its dual name in 1736 when Princess de Charolais, Louise-Anne de Bourbon-CondĂ©, acquired the property. A woman of refined taste and considerable influence, she enhanced the interiors with exquisite Louis XV decorations, adding layers of elegance to Lassurance’s original design. Under her ownership, the hĂ´tel became a center of aristocratic society and cultural life.
Throughout the 19th century, the building played various diplomatic and governmental roles. From April 1861, the Austrian Embassy rented the mansion, transforming it into one of Paris’ most brilliant social centers, where diplomats, aristocrats, and intellectuals gathered for glittering receptions and political discussions.
The hĂ´tel’s governmental service began even earlier – from 1793 to 1860, it housed the Ministry of the Interior, placing it at the heart of French administration during tumultuous periods including the Revolution, Empire, and Restoration. From 1870 to 1876, it served as the seat of the Council of State.
In recent times, the building has continued its governmental role. During Nicolas Sarkozy’s presidency (2007-2012), it housed the Ministry of Immigration, and since 2011, it has served as the Ministry of Public Service. Despite these administrative functions, the building retains its architectural splendor, with its elegant facades and refined proportions standing as a reminder of the grandeur of ancien rĂ©gime Paris.
The HĂ´tel de Rothelin-Charolais represents a crucial moment in French architectural history, bridging the monumental Baroque style of Louis XIV’s reign with the more intimate elegance that would characterize the 18th century, making it an essential landmark in the Faubourg Saint-Germain’s constellation of historic mansions.