Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Hotel de la Chancellerie, built in 1670 in Versailles, was initially occupied by the Guise family before being bought by the King in 1672. He then became the official residence of the Grand Chancellor of France, welcoming parties and receptions of the Court. Its staircase is attributed to architect Gabriel, and its garden in Le Nôtre, making one of the oldest hotels in the city.

In 1792 the building was confiscated as a national property and transformed into a saddlery. In the 19th century, he passed into the hands of private owners, including the wine merchant Paul Honoré Herault, who made important changes. Ranked a Historic Monument in 1930 for its facades and roofs, it was acquired by the city of Versailles in 1951 to install the School of Fine Arts, and finally the Conservatory of Music.

The Conservatoire, founded in 1878 by violinist Émile Cousin, underwent several moves before settling in the Hôtel de la Chancellerie in the middle of the 20th century. An extension in the 1960s added an auditorium, Claude Delvincourt, consolidating his role as a major cultural institution. Today, he trains nearly 2,500 students in music, dance and drama, while organizing an intercommunal artistic season with 300 annual events.

The hotel thus embodies a double heritage: that of an aristocratic home linked to the monarchy, and that of a place dedicated to artistic education for more than a century. Its architecture, marked by the classicism of the seventeenth century, and its turbulent history make it a symbol of the Versailles heritage.

The Conservatoire, ranked regional in 2006, issues recognized degrees (DEM, CEM, etc.) and collaborates with institutions such as the University of Versailles-Saint-Quentin or the Baroque Music Centre. Its outreach extends far beyond the city, with educational partnerships and events open to the public.

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