Sunday Open House

Continuing with the theme of the last two posts, I'll close out relaying my experiences on the Open House weekend in Paris with a few more peeks into some incredible buildings. All in all, I toured a dozen buildings over a two day period, which are only open by special invitation every other day of the year. I know my jaw must have been dropping on numerous occasions. The interiors were just stunning, and when I think about how I've walked by these buildings many, many times and never knew what was behind the facades, I'm amazed even more. 

One of the buildings that surprised me was l'Hôtel Clermont--the Ministry in Charge of Parliamentary Relations. With an title like that, you need a place of opulence, right? 

Built between 1708-1714 and located on Rue de Varenne, the Salon Doré is considered its grandest room,

but my favorite room was the gallery 

which was laid out by the Count d'Orsay for his collection of masterpieces.

The ceiling was exceptionally lovely.

I moved on to l'Hôtel de Noirmoutier on the Rue de Grenelle,

which is the Préfecture (office of the capital city) of the Ile-de-France, one of the 100 départements of France. Beautiful furnishings enhanced the rooms,

such as this beautifully paneled dining room.

Finally I stumbled onto the open doors of the mayor's office of the 7th arrondissement of Paris, so of course, I went in

and found beautiful carved ceilings

and the Marriage Hall. Anyone marrying in France is legally married after a civil ceremony at their respective mairie or mayor's office. Civil ceremonies are required and are legally binding--religious ceremonies may be performed after the civil ceremony if so desired. Wouldn't this be a beautiful room to say your I do's?

Thanks for hanging with me for the grand tour these past 3 posts. I hope to be fortunate to be able to  return to Paris next September for the 2011 Journées du Patrimoine.

 Next post will feature a building well known to all, world-wide, and will be much more current, as you will soon see.