Arc du Carousel du Louvre

The last place I visited during the 2019 Heritage Weekend were the Archives Nationales. The name is self explanatory! The medieval looking tower is the only part remaining from the original "Hôtel de Clisson" built in the late 1300's by the first of many owners.

Since its origins in the 1300’s, many transformations and remodeling took place. First in the 1500's and again in the 1700's when it was bought by François de Rohan-Soubise. Hence the name of the mansion changing to "Hôtel de Soubise”.

In 1808, it was bought by Emperor Napoleon to house the National Archives, an institution created during the French Revolution. The late 1800’s beautiful ceiling painting is an allegory of France fighting with time to safeguard its archives…

The highlights of the visit were the respective apartments of the Princesse de Soubise (blue “salon” and red bedroom) and the Prince (green “salon” and grey reading room).

What is uncommon in Paris about these rooms is their Rococo decor ("Rocaille" in French). When this style which was popular during Louis XV's reign, later fell out of fashion, most aristocrats redecorated their mansions. As a result, most Rococo decor vanished from the city.