Hôtel de Clermont

Hôtel de Clermont is a historic Parisian townhouse standing on rue de Varenne in the 7th arrondissement, right in the heart of the former Faubourg Saint-Germain.

Where exactly does it stand?

The building sits at number 69, rue de Varenne, on land that once belonged to the Abbey of Saint-Germain-des-Prés. It was on these grounds, in the early 18th century, that an exclusive residential quarter took shape - the so-called "Noble Faubourg," now one of the most distinguished corners of the Left Bank, close to Les Invalides. The Hôtel de Clermont counts among the oldest surviving mansions in this neighborhood.

Who built it, and for whom?

Construction began in 1708, commissioned from the architect Alexandre Le Blond, a designer active at the turn of the 18th century. The client was the Marquise de Saissac, wife of Louis III de Saissac, Count of Clermont - the source of the mansion's name. The house was laid out in the grand manner typical of aristocratic residences of the period, with a formal courtyard facing the street and gardens behind.

How did later owners reshape it?

In the second half of the 18th century, the mansion passed to Count Grimod d'Orsay, who bought it in 1768 and turned it into the setting for one of the finest art collections of his era. He carried out two major renovation campaigns, in 1770 and 1785, updating the interior decoration and layout to suit a collector's needs. Shortly before the Revolution, once Grimod d'Orsay had left permanently for Germany, the house was leased to William Beckford - an English collector and Member of Parliament, better known today as the author of gothic literary fantasies.

A further large-scale remodeling took place under the Second Empire, carried out by the architect Louis Visconti. The same Visconti later designed Napoleon's tomb at Les Invalides, which places his work at the Hôtel de Clermont within that same tradition of monumental Parisian architecture.

What happened to the building in the 20th century?

In November 1944, shortly after the Liberation of Paris, the French state requisitioned the building. In 1947, the state purchased it outright from the Costa de Beauregard family, who had owned it up to that point. It has remained in public hands ever since.

What is it used for today?

The Hôtel de Clermont currently houses the ministry responsible for relations with Parliament. It functions as a working government building, while still being opened to visitors on occasion - notably during the annual Journées du Patrimoine (Heritage Days), when the public can view its interiors and historic decor. Since 1980, the entire building has been listed as a monument historique, France's highest form of heritage protection.

Why does it matter to a visitor exploring Paris?

The Hôtel de Clermont is a rare window into how Paris's pre-revolutionary aristocracy actually lived, and into how such houses survived by shifting owners and purposes across three centuries. Walking along rue de Varenne, it's worth pausing at the facade and the carriage entrance even outside open days - the street itself gathers several comparable mansions from the same period.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Hôtel de Clermont located? At 69 rue de Varenne, in the 7th arrondissement of Paris, within the former Faubourg Saint-Germain.

When was it built and who designed it? Construction began in 1708 under the architect Alexandre Le Blond, commissioned by the Marquise de Saissac.

Can visitors go inside? The building now serves as a government office, but it opens to the public occasionally, for instance during the Journées du Patrimoine.

Is the building a protected landmark? Yes, the entire Hôtel de Clermont has been classified as a monument historique since 1980.