A mansion named after the Duke of Mayenne
The mansion is Renaissance in origin. It takes its name from Charles de Lorraine, Duke of Mayenne, leader of the Catholic League during the Wars of Religion, who owned it in the early 17th century. It is sometimes also called the "Hôtel du Maine". The property runs from 21 rue Saint-Antoine back to rue du Petit-Musc.
In the early 17th century the mansion was reworked: two street-side pavilions, linked by a large gateway, gave it its present façade in stone and brick, with superimposed architectural orders. The architect's name is still debated; the work is attributed, without certainty, to a member of the Androuet du Cerceau family.
Boffrand, the d'Ormesson family and the 19th century
- Early 18th century: the Count of Vaudémont, of the House of Lorraine, had the mansion modernised by the architect Germain Boffrand (around 1707-1709).
- From 1759 to 1812: the mansion belonged to the Lefèvre d'Ormesson family.
- After 1812: it became a boarding house and then, from 1870, a school, a role it has kept ever since.
A listed monument that became a school
The Hôtel de Mayenne is protected as a historic monument: the protection covers the façades and roofs, the vestibule, the interior staircase and the ground of the former garden. It now houses a school group (Francs-Bourgeois–La Salle), and its façades were restored in the late 20th century.
Looking up from rue Saint-Antoine, you can spot the wrought-iron balconies and the courtyard you can guess at behind the gateway.
Good to know. The building is occupied by a school: it is best admired from the street. For possible visits, for example during the European Heritage Days, check with the school.
A view of history from the hotel
Hôtel de la Herse d'Or is at 20 rue Saint-Antoine, directly opposite. From some of our rooms, the view drops into the courtyard of the Hôtel de Mayenne, with its stone dormer windows and slate roofs. A few steps away, the Temple Sainte-Marie, a former Visitation convent, completes this sequence of classical architecture. To go further, see our articles on the mansions and their courtyards and the history of Le Marais.
Sources. Wikipedia (French article "Hôtel de Mayenne"), e-Vous (monuments of Le Marais), Mérimée database of the French Ministry of Culture.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Hôtel de Mayenne?
At 21 rue Saint-Antoine, in the 4th arrondissement of Paris, across the street from Hôtel de la Herse d'Or (no. 20).
Why is it called the Hôtel de Mayenne?
It is named after Charles de Lorraine, Duke of Mayenne, who owned it in the early 17th century.
Can you visit the Hôtel de Mayenne?
It houses a school and is best seen from the street. Check with the school for possible visits.
Can you see the Hôtel de Mayenne from Hôtel de la Herse d'Or?
Yes: from some of our rooms, the view drops into its courtyard and over its roofs.