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Key figures

Origin and history

The Petit Luxembourg, or hotel of the Presidency, was built in the middle of the 16th century as a mansion before being acquired in 1570 by François de Luxembourg, Duke of Piney. In 1612, the Regent Marie de Medici bought the estate to build the neighbouring Luxembourg Palace, renamed the former "Petit Luxembourg" hotel. The latter was then given to the Cardinal of Richelieu in 1627, then passed on to his niece, the Duchess of Aiguillon, before passing into the hands of the princes of Condé in the seventeenth century. The architect Germain Boffrand grew between 1709 and 1716, adding a monumental staircase and richly decorated lounges.

During the Revolution, Petit Luxembourg became a national property after the flight of the Count of Provence (later Louis XVIII) in 1791. It then houses the Executive Board, where Sieyes prepared the coup d'état of the 18 mist, then Bonaparte and Josephine in 1799. The Conservative Senate sat there from 1800 to 1804. Under the Restoration, the State in 1825 made it the residence of the President of the Chamber of Peers, a post he has since retained for the President of the Senate, with successive modifications, including those of the German occupation in 1940.

Today, Little Luxembourg is divided into two wings: the right wing, the official residence of the President of the Senate (offices, lounges and private apartments), and the left wing, dedicated to receptions with its Boffrand lounges. The Queen's Chapel, listed as a historic monument in 1848, and the gardens complete this place full of political and architectural history. Since 2006, it has been open to the public on an ad hoc basis, especially during Heritage Days.

Future

Petit Luxembourg (or hotel of the Presidency) has been the residence of the President of the French Senate since 1825.

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