Hôtel de Retz, Private mansion in Le Marais, Paris, France
Hôtel de Retz is a private mansion in the Rue Charlot with a monumental entrance gate and internal courtyard typical of aristocratic Parisian homes. The building now functions as an exhibition space presenting contemporary art and design throughout the year.
Construction began in 1613 under Daniel Martin de Mauroy, a financial official of the House of Guise, and was completed in the 1630s. It later became the residence of Cardinal de Retz, a notable figure in 17th-century Parisian society.
The mansion reflects the taste of wealthy Parisian families of the 1600s through its architecture and layout. Its role as a private residence for prominent figures shaped how neighbors viewed the street during that era.
The mansion can be visited when exhibitions are taking place, which occur throughout the year. It is helpful to check ahead whether an exhibition is currently on view before planning your visit.
Nestor Roqueplan, who became editor of Le Figaro and director of major Paris theaters, was born here in 1804. His later success in French cultural institutions gives the mansion an unexpected connection to the city's artistic life.
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