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Origin and history

The hotel of Nesmond is a Parisian mansion whose origins date back to the subdivision of the district around 1260. Originally, it served as a residence for the panetier of Philippe le Bel in the 14th century, then became the property of the Duke of Bar. This historic site, located at 55-57 quai de la Tournelle, illustrates the architectural and social evolution of Paris, moving from medieval functions to a symbol of aristocratic prestige.

In 1586 Jacques Faye d'Espesse acquired the hotel of the Duke of Montpensier, François de Bourbon. The building took on its present appearance in 1643, when François-Théodore de Nesmond, president of the Paris parliament, undertook a complete renovation. A famous anecdote, reported by Saint-Simon, tells that Nesmond's daughter, Madame de Miramion, had her name engraved on the pediment in 1696, launching a fashion among the Parisian aristocracy. This gesture reflected the ambition to be recognized as a seigneurial status, the term "hotel" being reserved for the great noble houses.

In the 18th century, the hotel housed Michel Blondy, a renowned dance master, before becoming, in the 19th century, the seat of a distillery of absinthe. This diversity of uses reflects the economic and cultural transformations of Paris. In 1962, the entrance door, facades and roofs were partially listed as historical monuments, thus preserving an architectural heritage combining elements of the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The side overlooking Rue des Bernardins preserves a narrow gallery with low ceilings, characteristic of old buildings.

The hotel of Nesmond thus embodies centuries of Parisian history, from its medieval functions to its role in the worldly and economic life of the capital. Its inscription in the title of historical monuments underlines its heritage importance, while recalling the social strategies and urban developments that marked the 5th arrondissement.

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