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Origin and history

The Hotel de Noailles, located in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, is a mansion built around 1679 for Anne Jules de Noailles, Marshal of France and governor of the city, by architect Jules Hardouin Mansart. This monument illustrates the aristocratic architecture of the late seventeenth century, with subsequent modifications reflecting the stylistic evolutions and the needs of its owners.

In 1751 Louis de Noailles acquired the nearby Hôtel d'Aumont and had it destroyed in 1766 to expand the estate. The hotel entrance is then moved to the current Edouard Detaille square, and stables are built. The park is redesigned by Hubert Robert, who also redecorates the Lower North Wing Gallery. A farm is set up near the Poissy gate, and part of the property is sold as national property after the Revolution.

During the Revolution, the hotel was occupied by various committees and then returned to the family of Noailles under the Restoration. In 1836, the deterioration of the hotel led to the opening of a street crossing its central body. The southern pavilion was bought under the Second Empire by Mr Carel, who restored it and expanded it. In 1902, Pierre Albert Beaufeu made important restorations, restoring original architectural elements.

The facades and roofs of the North Pavilion, as well as some lounges in the main building, were listed as Historic Monuments in 1985 and 1991. Today, the Hôtel de Noailles bears witness to the architectural and social history of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, with protected elements reminiscent of its prestigious past.

The hotel was originally conceived as an aristocratic residence, reflecting the power and prestige of the Noailles family. Its architectural evolution, marked by enlargements and restorations, illustrates the political and social changes of France, from the Ancien Régime to the contemporary period. Gardens and outbuildings, such as stables, show the importance of representation and service spaces in noble residences.

The location of the hotel in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, a city close to Paris and historically linked to the monarchy, reinforces its importance. The city, a royal residence at several times, attracted the aristocracy and the upper bourgeoisie, making this hotel a place of power and sociability. The transformations of the building over the centuries reflect the political upheavals, including the Revolution and Restoration, which have marked the region and its inhabitants.

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