Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Hotel des Abbés de Fécamp, located at 5 rue Hautefeuille in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, finds its origins in the 13th century. Built in 1292 by Guillaume IV de Putot, abbot of the Trinité de Fécamp, he then occupied the corner of Rue Hautefeuille and the present Highfeuille impasse. This first building, conceived as a residence for Norman abbots, reflected their influence in the capital.

In the 16th century, the hotel was completely rebuilt, incorporating Renaissance architectural elements while preserving traces of its medieval past. The turret, or scauguette, dated from the beginning of this century, is a remarkable vestige: its corbellation carved in laces and its cornice adorned with pearls and interlaces bear witness to the artisanal know-how of the time. Despite the degradations suffered over the centuries, these decorative details partially remain.

In the 17th century, the hotel welcomed notable figures. Captain Godin de Sainte-Croix, a lover of the Marquise de Brinvilliers — famous for his involvement in the poison affair — resides there. Later, Nicolas Boucot, a renowned bibliophile, installed his collection of more than 18,000 books and 7,000 prints there until his death in 1699. The building also served, between 1766 and 1790, to house the archives of Lorraine after the death of Stanislas Leszczyński, before their transfer to the National Archives.

In architectural terms, the hotel is distinguished by its cul-de-lampe turret, which was listed as a historic monument in 1948, while its facades and roofs have been registered since 1947. These protections highlight the heritage value of a building that has passed through the ages, mixing religious history, aristocratic scandals and cultural preservation.

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