Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Hôtel de La Vaupalière, built in 1768 by architect Louis-Marie Colignon, is a remarkable example of a Parisian neo-classical mansion. Located at 85 rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré and 25 avenue Matignon, it was designed on a plot acquired in 1765 by Colignon, which built a life-saving relationship building at the Marquis de La Vaupalière. The latter, second lieutenant of the King's Musketeers and famous player, organized sumptuous festivals there, while his wife, Diane de Clermont d'Amboise, received philosophers like Voltaire.

During the Revolution, the hotel was mistakenly seized as a good emigré and turned into a guinguette by a limonadier. Recaptured in 1799 by the heirs of Colignon, it was sold in 1802 to Count Roederer, who modified the discounts and reduced the park. In the 19th century, he passed into the hands of personalities like Count Charles Le Hon, Belgian minister, and Countess Molé, before being redesigned by architect Louis Visconti for the Mole.

Ranked a historic monument in 1948 for its facades, roofs and interior decorations, the hotel will successively house Maggy Rouff, the newspaper Le Figaro, and the headquarters of AXA since 1995. In 1976, he was the target of an attack claimed by the FLB-ARB. Its restoration by Ricardo Bofill and François-Joseph Graf preserved its character while integrating it into a modern complex.

The gardens, registered in 1947, were partially sold to give way to Rabelais Street. Today, the hotel embodies both the 18th century aristocratic heritage and its adaptation to contemporary usages, while remaining a major architectural testimony of historic Paris.

Future

It now houses the headquarters of the Axa insurance company.

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