Friday, April 22, 2011

L'hôtel de Saint-Aignan


Here is another of these Paris jewels that I never new of (I actually discovered it because I had an appointment with a dentist nearby!). This is L'hôtel de Saint-Aignan, a magnificent building built between 1644 and 1650 and bought by Paul de Beauvilliers, duc de Saint-Aignan (now you know why it's called that way!), in 1688. It's located at 71, rue du Temple, right in the heart of Le Marais. I did not get to see the inside as I was really in a hurry today when I took this photo, but I will. Actually everybody can, for now it's a museum: le musée d'Art juif et d'histoire du Judaïsme (Jewish art and history museum) and at the moment they have a Chagall exhibit.

17 comments:

  1. I think my favorite thing about this post is that you've just discovered this place! It just goes to show that you can live in Paris for years and still discover more delights.

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  2. Nice place. Wish I had an apartment in something like that!

    By the way, I'm in Rome right now. Check out the nice tribute from Eleonora, the creator of the Roma Every Day blog:
    http://romatuttigg.blogspot.com/

    Yes, the weather is perfect here.

    As to apartments: right now it is 1:10 a.m. and from somewhere on the street very loud party music is thumping through my apartment. No way to sleep with this. I'm glad I don't have anywhere to be tomorrow morning: I'll be sleeping late.

    Ciao!

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  3. Stunning building! I would love to see the inside of it.

    Kris

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  4. Ditto, Petrea! And I'll take the apartment down the hall from you Jeff. ; ) This photo reminds me of the one taken at the Musee de la Chasse in the same neighborhood. I tried to find that other post, but I can't. I'd sure like to see the inside!!

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  5. There is always a different art exhibition in the courtyard. The statue you see is the latest one.

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  6. I have a friend with a flat at Cite Noel off of rue Rambuteau. His terrace looks on the beautiful lighted grounds behind this Mansion. It is truely spectacular!

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  7. Thanks for sharing this photo, it remembers me my visit there two weeks ago! The exhibition of the Chagall´s illustrations of the Bible is gorgoeus!
    Hana de Prague

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  8. Hola from Barcelona.
    We have rain here but the city is worth the trip. Still, Paris is so sunny that I'm a little bit envious ;-)

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  9. Wow! That is a gorgeous courtyard. If only there were benches and a little greenery to make you want to come and stay. But the museum itself looks beautiful! Oh, there are going to have to be multiple trips to Paris to see all that there is on my list!

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  10. Beautiful building, Eric, et j'adore Chagall!

    I'll put it on my list for my September visit.

    Hope you're well and enjoying the fabulous weather!


    A bientot,
    Christine Hueber

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  11. Just goes to show that there's ALWAYS something new to discover in this city!

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  12. That's a statue of Dreyfus in the courtyard -- a historical figure of significance to Jews everywhere, not just in France. And do go see the Chagall exhibit. It is stunning.

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  13. Quelle belle architecture! Est-ce une cour intérieure?

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  14. I have to make a note of this. I'll be coming to Le Marais in less than one month - yikes - rather unprepared and more than a little apprehensive, but completely excited.

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  15. Thanks for telling us about this. I didn't even know of the existence the Hôtel de Saint-Aignan. It's on my list for my next trip to the city.

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  16. I went there this Spring and though that it was magnificent .
    It is tastefully done and has a great collection

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