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Heritage classified

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Origin and history

The Hôtel de Châtillon, also known as the Hôtel de Marie de Lyonne, the Hôtel de Gagny or the Hôtel de Chatainville, is an iconic mansion in the 4th arrondissement of Paris. Located in 10 Place des Vosges, on the east side between the Fourcy and Lafont hotels, it is an integral part of the architectural ensemble designed around this royal square, today Place des Vosges. Its privileged location, in the immediate vicinity of this 17th century jewel of Paris, bears witness to its historical importance and its close connection to the courtyard of Henri IV.

The hotel dates from the first quarter of the 17th century and was built at the initiative of Claude Chastillon (1559-1616), architect, engineer and royal topographer. The latter, close collaborator of Henri IV and then Louis XIII, played a key role in the design of the Place Royale (now Place des Vosges), alongside Jacques II Andouet du Cerceau. As a reward for his services, Henry IV granted him a plot on this square, where Chastillon built his own hotel. The building thus reflects the influence of the major urban projects carried out during the reign of Henri IV, marking a period of architectural renewal for Paris.

The facades and roofs of the Hôtel de Châtillon were classified as historical monuments in 1920, followed by the inscription of its staircase in 1953 and the classification of its vaulted gallery in 1958. These successive protections highlight the heritage value of its architectural elements, including the staircase with its wrought iron ramp and arch arched gallery. These characteristics illustrate the know-how of the artisans of the time and the evolution of construction techniques in the early seventeenth century.

Claude Chastillon, in addition to his role as architect, was also known as Henry IV's "personal reporter", documenting the events and achievements of the reign. His mansion thus embodies both a major architectural achievement and a testimony to the political and cultural history of France from the beginning of the seventeenth century. The presence of this building on Place des Vosges, one of the oldest planned squares in Paris, reinforces its status as a must-see historical monument.

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