Hôtel Kinski

Did the walls of Hôtel Kinski whisper secrets of power? We stand before a structure that has housed influential figures, from princesses to presidents. Hôtel Kinski, nestled in Paris’s 7th arrondissement at 53 rue Saint-Dominique, has witnessed centuries of history. Originally built in 1769 by the renowned architect Claude-Nicolas Ledoux, Hôtel Kinski was first home to Elizabeth de Lamoignon, the estranged wife of a prominent parliament president. Little remains of Ledoux’s original design, as the hotel has undergone extensive renovations over the years. However, echoes of its rich past still linger. Step into the grand salon and look up. You’ll find a stunning ceiling painted in 1779 by Simon Julien, a testament to the artistic grandeur of the late 18th century. This masterpiece was commissioned for Princess Kinsky, who owned the hotel in 1773, lending the building its current name. In 1801, the famed English writer William Beckford took up residence within these walls, leasing the hotel for three years. Later, it served as the home of Marshal Lannes. The 19th century saw Hôtel Kinski transformed into a literary salon, hosted by the writer Charles de Pomairols. In 1919, the banker and parliamentarian Louis Louis-Dreyfus acquired the property, undertaking further renovations. During World War II, the hotel was requisitioned, eventually becoming state property in 1945. For a time, it housed offices of the Ministry of Culture. Then, in 2007, Hôtel Kinski embarked on a new chapter. It was sold to the Qatari royal family for 28 million euros, half its estimated value. This grand residence, boasting 3,509 square meters and a sprawling 2,400-square-meter garden complete with an artificial grotto and pond, remains a symbol of prestige and power in the heart of Paris.