L'Hotel Le Lauzun

Located on the Ile St. Louis is this lovely old hotel (home) at #17 quai d' Anjou.  During the 17th century, a wealthy owner built this elaborate home with the decorative balcony and fish drainpipes.  The inside panelling was gilded and painted with the same flourish as the exterior. Above the door the inscription reads, Hotel de Lauzun, 1657.  During the 19th century, the aristocracy moved to Versailles and the home fell on harder times, becoming a laundry.  Fortunately, the owner stored the panelling in a cellar and it was rescued and restored to its former glory at a later date.

At one point in the history of this property, the famous 19th century literary figure, Charles Baudelaire lived here on the ground floor from October 1843 to September 1845. While living here he took hashish with Theophile Gautier and friends, founding Club des Hachischins (other memebers included Rilke, Sickert and Wagner). It was here that Baudelaire fell madly in love with his mixed race mistress, Jeanne Duval, and wrote poetry prolifically... creating what would later become Les Fieurs du Mal.

Baudelaire rarely lived at one address for such a long period of time during his life (1821-1867). He actually lived at 45 different addresses in Paris, not including a few dives where he would bolt and lodge to avoid his creditors, which was often.

L'Hotel Lauzun is now owned by the city of Paris, where it is used for receptions and honorary guests. It is a wonderful gesture that the grandeur of the home can once more be appreciated.

This is a particularly beautiful area on the quai de Anjou and the residence next door, the Hotel Lambert, is equally elegant and famous...just another small snippet of history waiting to be discovered. 

Enjoy your stroll...A bientot!

Henri