Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Judic Hotel, located at 12 rue du Cardinal-Mercier (formerly Rue Nouvelle) in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, is a private hotel built in 1883 for actress Anna Judic. This ambitious project, led by architects Jacques Drevet and Georges Trugard, reflects Judic's success after his role in Mam'zelle Nitouche, with a monumental facade inspired by Blaisois castles and sumptuous interiors combining Renaissance, Gothic and Baroque styles. The house, sold in 1885 for reasons of succession, is described by journalist Émile Blavet as a close collaboration between the artist and his architects, with remarkable elements such as a carved wooden staircase, 16th century stained glass windows, and a ceiling painted by Clairin representing Judic in his roles.

After the forced sale in 1885, the hotel changed hands several times. In 1892 it was acquired by architect Émile Vabre, who rearranged it and organized world events there. At the beginning of the 20th century, it housed the Circle of Commerce, Letters, Arts and Sports, and then became a laudable festive hall under the name of Maison des Arts. Searches in 1907 and 1909 revealed illegal activities (money games, exhibitions), before the hotel was mistakenly associated with Edward VII in the 1930s. His history continues with various uses, including a period of relative abandonment until his redemption in the 1970s.

In the 1970s, the hotel was acquired by Otto-Klaus Preis, art collector and former collaborator of Nina Ricci, who fell under the charm of this eclectic home, symbol of the romantic architecture of New Athens. Preis, passionate about the 16th-17th centuries and the end of the 19th century, preserves the hotel and its history, including the portrait of Anna Judic painted in fresco. After his death in 2003, his collection was sold at auction, and the hotel was bought by a flea antique store in Saint-Ouen. Despite the initial lack of protection, the building was eventually listed as a historic monument in 1990 (building) and 1995 (apartment), while the dead end of the street has been protected since 1977.

Architecturally, the Judic Hotel is distinguished by its asymmetrical facade, divided into two parts: on the right, a large window decorated with a stained glass representing the meeting of Antoine and Cleopatra, and on the left, a more sober section. The interior preserves exceptional elements such as the hall with cathedral dimensions (9.20 m long, 7.70 m high), a monumental fireplace, and a Gothic ceiling. The upper floors housed Judic's private apartments, with a stand overlooking the lobby, a large courtyard-side bedroom, and spaces dedicated to its wardrobe. The mix of styles — Renaissance, neo-Gothic, Baroque — makes it a unique testimony to the architectural eclecticism of the late 19th century.

Protection of the monument was delayed: the building was registered in 1990, and the apartment was classified in 1995. This official recognition preserves a place full of history, linked to both the world of entertainment (Anna Judic), romantic architecture (Drevet, Trugard), and Parisian artistic circles. Today, the Judic Hotel remains a rare example of a private hotel that has escaped real estate transformations, keeping intact its 19th century Parisian madness atmosphere.

External links