Picture this a grand old house standing proudly on Sherbrooke Street West. This is the Maison Jean Versailles a Montreal treasure. It’s more than just bricks and mortar. It whispers tales of Montreal’s rich past.
The Maison Jean Versailles wasn’t always a hotel. In 1676 a mission village stood here. Abbe Francois Vachon de Belmont built it. He even created a reflecting pool and formal gardens. Imagine recreating Versailles in the wilds of Montreal.
Fast forward to 1911. James Seath-Smith built fashionable townhouses here. Seath-Smith’s home was lavish. It boasted woodcarvings marble and ornate fireplaces. The Honorable Narcisse Perodeau lived next door. He was Quebec’s fourteenth Lieutenant-Governor.
Then in 1958 Marie-Louise and Andre Villeneuve transformed one townhouse. They created the Versailles Lodge a small hotel. The family bought the others. Thus Chateau Versailles was born. It united four homes styles and histories under one roof.
Today Maison Jean Versailles is a luxurious boutique hotel. It retains countless antique details. Thirteen original fireplaces adorn its rooms. High ceilings feature remarkable friezes. An Art Deco lamp adds a touch of glamour. Photographs of past residents line the walls. An antique sewing machine belonged to Gabrielle Bernier a famed Montreal fashion designer. She once lived at 1669 Sherbrooke Street.
Maison Jean Versailles is more than a hotel. It’s a living museum. It’s a testament to Montreal’s architectural heritage. It is a place where history elegance and comfort meet. A perfect blend of old world charm and modern luxury.