Did you know that Coco Chanel once graced the halls of the Hôtel de Rohan-Montbazon? This hôtel, at 29 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, whispers tales of aristocracy, art, and high fashion. Today, we stand before a building with a rich history. The Hôtel de Rohan-Montbazon has witnessed centuries of Parisian life.
Built around 1719, the Hôtel de Rohan-Montbazon was commissioned for the Princesse de Rohan-Montbazon. Pierre Cailleteau, also known as Lassurance, designed it. However, art historian Michel Gallet doesn’t mention it in his work about the architect.
Over the years, the Hôtel de Rohan-Montbazon has undergone changes. It was raised and remodeled during the 19th century. Yet, a salon decorated in the Empire style remains. This is a protected historical monument since 1927.
After the Princesse de Rohan-Montbazon died in 1750, the hôtel became the property of Jean-Marie Richard. He was a financier and the general receiver of finances for Tours. Richard hired architect Michel Tannevot to make improvements.
In 1783, Louis Richard de La Bretèche, an art collector and Jean-Marie’s brother, acquired the Hôtel de Rohan-Montbazon. By 1792, it was sold to Madame Raymond de Saint-Sauveur. Later, in 1823, the Vicomte de La Panouse became the owner.
Eventually, the Comte Pillet-Will owned it. Then, Coco Chanel lived here. She hosted famous figures such as Picasso, Misia Sert, Diaghilev, and Stravinsky.
In 1876, architect Decloux rebuilt the street-facing building. He used an eclectic style and added two carriage entrances.
Interestingly, another Hôtel de Rohan exists in the Marais district. This hôtel is near the Hôtel de Soubise. Armand Gaston de Rohan, a cardinal, initiated its construction around 1705. Pierre-Alexis Delamair managed the construction.
The interior decoration of that Hôtel de Rohan dates back to 1747. Armand de Rohan, also a cardinal, oversaw it. Later, Louis-Constantin de Rohan-Montbazon and Louis-Rene-Edouard de Rohan lived there. Louis-Rene-Edouard was involved in the infamous “affair of the queen’s necklace.”
The Hôtel de Rohan in the Marais became part of the Imprimerie Nationale in the 19th century. The Archives Nationales saved it. They moved there in 1938 and used it as a museum extension.
Today, the Ministry of Culture and the Archives Nationales are renovating the Hôtel de Rohan in the Marais. They aim to showcase its artistic value, combining it with the Hôtel de Soubise to display French art from the time of Louis XV.
While that Hôtel de Rohan boasts the famous Horses of the Sun sculpture, this Hôtel de Rohan-Montbazon holds its own allure. The Hôtel de Rohan-Montbazon with its connection to Coco Chanel. The Hôtel de Rohan-Montbazon stands as a reminder of the diverse stories woven into Paris’s architectural fabric.