Monday 1 July 2013

July CDP Theme Day: façade (de la préfecture)

It took me over 4 years to show you my absolute favourite building in Versailles, though you had seen a glimpse of it here. Located on Avenue de Paris, it is the Préfecture and also houses the county administrative services (Versailles is county town). This 'Napoléon III mansion', built by A. Manuel 1863-1866, was occupied by the king of Prussia during the 1870-71 Franco-Prussian war (I had shown you some German tombs here). It then became home to the French presidents of the third Republic until 1879. It looks a bit better than the modern part of the Préfecture, doesn't it? This is VDP's contribution to this month's theme day. Click here to see more takes on the theme and happy July!

Il m'aura fallu plus de 4 ans pour vous montrer mon bâtiment préféré. Vous en aviez eu un avant-goût ici. Située sur l'avenue de Paris, c'est la préfecture des Yvelines, qui se double de l'hôtel du département. Cet hôtel Napoléon III construit par A. Manuel entre 1863 et 1866, fut occupé par le roi de Prusse pendant la guerre de 1870-71 (je vous avais montré des tombes allemandes ici.) Puis il abrita les présidents de la IIIè République jusqu'en 1879. C'est quand même plus beau que la partie moderne des bâtiments administratifs que je vous montrais ici, non ? C'est la contribution de VDP au thème du mois de juillet de la communauté City Daily Photo. Vous pouvez voir plein d'autres interprétations du thème en cliquant ici. Je souhaite à toutes et tous un beau mois de juillet !
The building in 1917 - Le bâtiment en 1917

31 comments:

Olivier said...

mince j'ai encore zappe le theme du mois..superbe batiment (j'aurais eut du mal a rivalise)

Sylvia K said...

Such a beautiful building, Ciel, I can see why it would be a favorite!! Hope you have a great week!

Jack said...

It is not fair, Ciel. Versailles has such spectacular architecture.

But, you did choose a gorgeous building to share with us today.

Michelle said...

You have such great architecture available to you! Just beautiful!

Lowell said...

I love that first photo...so well composed and all that symmetry ... the three windows with crosses, the three decoration above, the two eagles, the double carvings of two girls...and drapes in the windows, the balcony railing and all of this punctuated by the deep blue sky! Fantastic!

LONDONLULU said...

Oh gosh, it is beautiful - and beautifully captured! How glorious to walk around architecture like this as a matter of course. I also love the contrast with the historic image - a classic structure for the ages!

Bob Crowe said...

As the saying goes, they don't make 'em like that anymore. I like the honey-colored stone. It must be wonderful at sunset.

Randy said...

Ok, I may have to skip this one after seeing this post. Awesome theme day post.

Hilda said...

Gorgeous building! It's easy to see why it's your favorite.

Cezar and Léia said...

C'est un bâtiment extraordinaire!
bisous
Léia

Bergson said...

un thème royal pour Versailles

Jo said...

Beautiful, and a wonderful post

LOLfromPasa said...

What a fantastic detail on this beautiful building. I can see why it might be your favorite. Lovely shots.

Anonymous said...

A gorgeous looking and very historic building, captured perfectly against that clear blue sky!

Jim said...

What a magnificent building.

VP said...

Great post and a wonderful façade for a handsome building

Small City Scenes said...

Such a beauty!! I am glad you were out and about in 1917 to take that picture for us. MB

Tanya Breese said...

oh it is gorgeous and i love seeing the old picture too!

Tanya Breese said...

oh it is gorgeous and i love seeing the old picture too!

Peter van den Besselaar said...

Lovely picture

Karl said...

Oh, this is a great post! I like especially the second photo with that wonderful light!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Definitely more beautiful than the modern Ciel, j'adore all those rows of perfectly arched windows. Très belle image.

Sharon said...

That is a truly gorgeous building.

Michel Benoit said...

Elle a tout d'une caserne !
La majesté en plus... :D)

wilf said...

Versailles is just gorgeous! Every detail of the building in the first photo is breathtaking.

Suzanne said...

This building is gorgeous and I can easily see why it is your favorite. So lovely!

Kate said...

It's probably difficult to choose a favorite in that spectacular place. You chose a good one tho!

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Ciel, I do not know all the buildings, but surely you are right about the elegance and beauty of this one. Can you imagine the generations of people who have peered out from those top floor windows?

You know that I always love "the story" - Thanks for the background.

Bises,
Genie

Unknown said...

Fabulous! Love the close-up shot.

Stuart said...

Wonderful photos and commentary ! Bravo !

Buck said...

Beautiful building. Love the history here! Marvelous photo for the theme.