Description
Hotel de Lauzun
Practical informations
- Location : 17, Quai d’Anjou (Métro Sully-Morland line 7)
- Duration : 1h30
- Walking tour
- Visit only possible during a private event
The Hotel de Lauzun is much more than yet another aristocratic mansion in Paris. Ravishingly luxurious with outstanding painted and gilded interiors, the house is the last example of a seventeenth century Grand siècle building one can visit on the île Saint Louis.
The tour will recount the building’s long and fascinating history as well as architectural features and decors. Indeed, the mansion was first built by an important family of Louis the 14th era, but soon after, it was quickly bought by the Duc de Lauzun, a prominent and rich member of the king’s court. The place is then famous for housing numerous parties and orgies.
In the nineteenth century the mansion is heavily transformed and parted in many different apartments.
One of the most illustrious tenants was Charles Baudelaire. The well known author would write in there many of his poems and host his famous club of artificial paradise.
The hotel de Lauzun now has belonged to the city of Paris since the start of the 20th century. After serious renovation, it shows some the most beautiful rooms with original décor coupled with 19th century transformation. The main part of the hotel has now become a kind of Villa Medicis for researchers from around the world.
Since the Covid period, Hotel de Lauzun is only accessible during private events (3 weeks in advance booking). Renting can be at daytime or in the evening, for 1, 2 hours or more.