Tuesday 8 September 2015

L'hôtel des Gendarmes

Hôtel des gendarmes Versailles
So... Yesterday the mural, today the building. It was in a very sorry state in 2009, click here to see it (and note that VDP at the time didn't even research the history!) It has been beautifully restored to its former glory! It was built in 1735 by Jacques Gabriel, king Louis XVth's first architect, to house his gens d'armes (old French for 'men at arms'). The gens d'armes at some point became the Gendarmes and should you be interested, you can read about the historical gens d'armes by clicking here and the current Gendarmerie military by clicking here. The gorgeous door bears the Gendarmes King's guard's motto: 'quo jubet iratus Jupiter' (where irate Jupiter commands).

Hier le trompe-l’œil, aujourd'hui le bâtiment. Il était dans un triste état en 2009 (cliquez ici pour le voir et notez que VDP à l'époque faisait moins de recherches que maintenant !) et a été superbement restauré. C'est au XVIIIème siècle que débute l'histoire de l'hôtel dit des Gendarmes. Louis XV ayant racheté en 1732 à des particuliers certaines dépendances de l'hôtel de la princesse de Conti (actuelle mairie), il les fait remplacer par un hôtel destiné à  loger les gendarmes de sa garde, d'où son nom. Construit en 1735 par Jacques V Gabriel, premier architecte du Roi, son portail très ouvragé porte la devise des gendarmes de la garde du Roi : "quo jubet iratus Jupiter" (où Jupiter furieux ordonne).
(Informations trouvées sur le site de la ville de Versailles).
Hôtel des gendarmes Versailles
Hôtel des gendarmes Versailles

20 comments:

Unknown said...

Fabulous doorway actually a fabulous building, I love the architecture, the colour everything in fact. What is it about French buildings that they always look so appealing....to me anyway...

Lowell said...

Another gorgeous building! Gendarmes and Jupiter? An irate Jupiter! I'm probably poorly educated but I don't understand the reference. you do live in a very interesting place!

RedPat said...

It has been so beautifully restored, Ciel! Like Geoff, I love the whole thing.

Michelle said...

How gorgeous!

黄清华 Wong Ching Wah said...

Just the facade alone shows richness of architectural and arts heritage.

Jack said...

That is truly wonderful, VDP.

Bob Crowe said...

Europe has a much better sense of the value of its architectural heritage. And, I learned the origin of a French word.

Thérèse said...

Bien logés les gendarmes de l'époque!

Halcyon said...

It has come a long way! I love that ornate doorway. Glad to see someone is investing in these structures.

VP said...

A spectacular doorway perfectly restored. Thanks for the bit of history, I didn't know much about this.

Dave said...

Gendarmes always give me the impression that they are much more "threatening" than the British Bobby. Yes looking forward to the R W C even though the Southern Hemisphere teams are always firm favourites. Wales have had some injury blows already which has meant changes to the squad.

Cezar and Léia said...

An impressive door with so adorable details! I love the reflections on the glasses and the color of the building.
Have a nice day dear Ciel,

La cachette à Josette said...

une belle et indispensable restauration...

Anonymous said...

That's a formidable looking building!

EG CameraGirl said...

Excellent restoration!

Loree said...

What a lovely facade. The building has been beautifully restored.

LOLfromPasa said...

Your post here has a lot of information. All nicely put together. Got to love the detail on this magnificent doorway.

Sharon said...

That certainly beats the barracks that houses military today!

William Kendall said...

What a beautiful building!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Oh it was a wee bit sad.. So happy when they restore with such care, looks good as new now Ciel.