by Discover the Hôtel de Seignelay, an architectural masterpiece that graces the prestigious rue de Lille in Paris’ 7th arrondissement. Built in 1713-1715 by renowned architect Germain Boffrand, this elegant mansion stands as a testament to French architectural refinement during the Régence period.
The hôtel’s illustrious history begins with its acquisition by Charles Léonor Colbert, comte de Seignelay, grandson of Louis XIV’s famous minister Jean-Baptiste Colbert. Charles, who left the priesthood to marry the Princess of Walsassine in 1717, made this magnificent residence his home until his death in 1747.
Architecturally, the Hôtel de Seignelay showcases Germain Boffrand’s mastery of the emerging style Régence, a precursor to Rococo. The building features five floors, with a semi-underground basement and the highest floor nestled under the roof. Among its most remarkable interiors are a Louis XV rocaille salon and an exquisite Louis XVI boudoir, representing the evolution of French decorative arts.
The mansion’s distinguished residents reflect its importance in Parisian society. After the Colbert family, it housed Charlotte-Aglaé d’Orléans, daughter of the Regent and Duchess of Modena. In 1780, the Duke of Béthune-Charost acquired the property, and his wife, the Duchess of Tourzel, served as the last governess to Marie Antoinette’s children – a connection commemorated by the Queen’s dog’s grave in the garden.
The building’s later history includes serving as the German Embassy from 1938 until World War II, after which it housed various French ministries. Unfortunately, during restoration work in February 2022, a devastating fire caused significant damage to this historic monument.
Located at 80 rue de Lille, the Hôtel de Seignelay forms part of an architectural ensemble with its neighbor, the Hôtel de Beauharnais (formerly Hôtel Colbert de Torcy), creating one of the most distinguished streetscapes in the Faubourg Saint-Germain.