“Two twin hotels a double hotel in fact” That’s how the story of Rue des Processions begins or rather the story of numbers 52 and 54 Rue de Turenne. These weren’t just any buildings. They were twin hotels built in 1637 by the same architect Michel Villedo. He was a master mason from Creuse who rose to become a general master of the King’s buildings. Bridges and roads of France were under his authority. This was during Louis XIV’s reign a time of immense construction and grandeur.
The hotels were initially commissioned by Claude Bourdeille the Count of Montresor. He was a notable figure involved in various 17th-century intrigues including the Cinq-Mars conspiracy against Richelieu. His involvement in political plots led to the confiscation of his property forcing him into exile and even imprisonment in the Bastille.
After Montresor’s death the hotels took on different names and owners. Number 52 became the Hotel Merualt. Number 54 became the Hotel de Gourgues. They changed hands several times throughout the centuries. Wealthy families and even a marquis occupied these elegant residences.
The French Revolution brought upheaval and tragedy. Both hotels were confiscated during the revolutionary period. The owners at the time both met a tragic end in 1794. They faced the guillotine.
The City of Paris only acquired the twin hotels in 1908. Interestingly schools occupied the buildings long before this. Schools were using the space as early as 1880. The Library of the Friends of Public Instruction moved in in 1884.
The facades of both hotels whether facing the street or the courtyard are classified as supplementary historical monuments. This happened in 1926. They were originally identical structures. However over time they saw various transformations and renovations especially in the 18th century. Each boasts unique architectural details some more visible than others. The hotel de Gourgues features a triangular pediment. Architectural elements like keys chains and moldings are subtly interwoven into the design.
The story of these twin hotels shows how history is embedded in Parisian architecture. The buildings of Rue des Processions. They offer a glimpse into centuries of Parisian life and power struggles. The architectural details whisper tales of wealthy families political intrigue and revolutionary fervor. They remind us that even seemingly ordinary streets conceal extraordinary histories.