Picture this The Hu00f4tel d’Almeyras stands before you a testament to Parisian history. Its brick and stone facade whispers tales of centuries past. This magnificent private mansion in the Marais district is more than just a building. It’s a living record of Parisian life.
The Hu00f4tel d’Almeyras was not always the stately structure we see today. Its story begins in 1598 when Jean de Fourcy acquired the land. It changed hands several times before Jean Alméras a gentleman of La Saussaye and auditor of the chancellery purchased it.
Construction began between 1611 and 1613 under the direction of Louis Métezeau architect to King Henry IV. This was one of Métezeau’s rare private commissions. He collaborated with master mason Nicolas Jacquet. The initial design was later expanded in 1625. Pierre d’Alméras added a courtyard and a second pavilion extending the garden facade.
Interestingly almost no original interior decoration remains. The Hu00f4tel d’Almeyras has endured though. It has survived the centuries. The grand staircase however dates from around 1655. This was after its sale to Louis Bertauld president of the Chamber of Accounts. The carriage entrance was added even later in 1723. It was a later addition by Robert Langlois de la Fortelle another owner.
The Hu00f4tel d’Almeyras has witnessed significant historical events. Paul Barras resided there between 1814 and 1815. The nineteenth century saw it occupied by artisans. It was first a tannery then a chandelier workshop. This remarkable building was listed as a historical monument in 1978. It was later restored in 1983.
Today the Hu00f4tel d’Almeyras is a private residence. You can’t enter but admire its exterior. The building’s design. The elegance of the facades. The grandeur of the portal. These are all signs of its rich past. It’s a reminder that even in a bustling city quiet stories endure. A story is waiting to be uncovered. A Parisian story that lives on in the very stones of the Hu00f4tel d’Almeyras.