Hôtel de Beauvais, 5 facts that have stood the test of time

Located in the Marais district, on charming Rue François-Miron, the Hôtel de Beauvais is a masterpiece of 17th-century architecture. Classified as a historic monument, it has housed the Paris Administrative Court of Appeal since 2004. Though this public building is generally not open to the public, visitors can admire its inner courtyard and façades by politely asking the guards at the entrance. It’s also worth noting that the interior of the Hôtel de Beauvais is usually accessible to the public during Heritage Open Days.

In 1654, Monsieur and Madame de Beauvais acquired the property, which then belonged to the wife of Nicolas Fiquet, Superintendent of Finances (a high-ranking official responsible for authorizing state expenditures). In 1656, it was transformed into an opulent private mansion, with construction entrusted to Antoine Le Pautre, the king’s chief architect.

Madame de Beauvais, born Catherine Bellier, was a favorite of the queen. As Anne of Austria’s first lady-in-waiting, Baroness de Beauvais was among her most trusted confidantes. It was she who, at the queen’s request, deflowered the young King Louis XIV, who was just sixteen years old… Such a service surely deserved a reward! From its balcony, the queen mother, Mazarin, and Turenne witnessed the entry of Louis XIV and his young wife, Marie-Thérèse, into Paris in 1660.

A MASTERPIECE OF ARCHITECTURE – After admiring the Hôtel de Beauvais’s grand siècle-style façade from the street, step into the inner courtyard, a true architectural gem. Here, you’ll notice ram’s heads on the façade, a nod to Baroness de Beauvais’s maiden name, Catherine Bellier. The building’s shape is equally original. Built on an irregular plot, architect Le Pautre embraced the asymmetry of the land, creating concave and undulating façades. A remarkably successful puzzle! The hall, adorned with columns and carved stone bas-reliefs, is another standout feature of the building.

Later, the Bavarian ambassador—who had acquired the mansion—welcomed the Mozart family there in 1763. The irregular terrain required an inventive layout, particularly for the semi-oval courtyard. The five doors adorned with mascarons, decorative masks, once led to the former stables. The staircase, with its wrought-iron railing, is also noteworthy. However, nothing remains of the building’s sumptuous 18th-century interior decoration. For many years now, the Hôtel de Beauvais has housed the Paris Administrative Court of Appeal.

Hôtel de Beauvais, 68 Rue François-Miron

The Saint-Gervais district has preserved the layout of its medieval streets: Rue François-Miron, Rue des Barres, and others.