Saint-Thomas-d'Aquin in Paris in Département de Paris, Île-de-France, France — Western Europe

Hôtel de Villette

— Histoire de Paris —

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 25, 2023

1. Hôtel de Villette Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Construit au XVIIe siècle, il fut transformé et somptueusement décoré entre 1766 et 1769 par l'architecte Charles De Wailly pour le marquis de Villette. Voltaire y avait séjourné en 1724, invité par la Présidente de Bernières mais était parti précipitamment, incommodé par le trafic du quai. Cinquante ans plus tard, en février 1778, il quitte Ferney et revient rue de Beaune sur l'invitation pressante des Villette. Son retour suscite l'enthousiasme, et tout Paris veut lui rendre hommage. Reçu triomphalement à la Comédie française, Voltaire se voit couronné pendant la représentation d'Irène. Epuisé par les émotions et la fatigue, il meurt le 31 mai suivant. Le 12 juillet 1791, le cortège qui conduisait les cendres de Voltaire au Panthéon fait une halte devant l'hôtel de la rue de Beaune.

(English translation:)

Built in the 17th century, it was transformed and sumptuously decorated between 1766 and 1769 by the architect Charles De Wailly for the Marquis de Villette. Voltaire had stayed there in 1724, invited by the President of Bernières but had left hastily, inconvenienced by the

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traffic on the quay. Fifty years later, in February 1778, he left Ferney and returned to rue de Beaune at the urgent invitation of the Villettes. His return aroused enthusiasm, and all of Paris wanted to pay homage to him. Received triumphantly at the Comédie Française, Voltaire was crowned during the performance of Irène. Exhausted by emotions and fatigue, he died the following May 31. On July 12, 1791, the procession leading Voltaire's ashes to the Panthéon stopped in front of the hotel on rue de Beaune.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music. In addition, it is included in the Histoire de Paris series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 12, 1791.

Location. 48° 51.545′ N, 2° 19.827′ E. Marker is in Paris, Île-de-France, in Département de Paris. It is in Saint-Thomas-d'Aquin. Marker is at the intersection of Quai Voltaire and Rue de La Beaune, on the right when traveling east on Quai Voltaire. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 25 Quai Voltaire, Paris, Île-de-France 75007, France. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Meeting Place of Resistance Libération-Nord (a few steps from this marker); Voltaire (a few steps from this marker); Rudolf NOUREEV / Rudolph Nureyev (1938-1993) (within shouting distance of this marker); Marcel Baschet

Hôtel de Villette Marker - Wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, June 25, 2023

2. Hôtel de Villette Marker - Wide view

(within shouting distance of this marker); Capitaine D’Artagnan (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Domenique-Vivant Denon (about 120 meters away); Cécile Sorel (about 150 meters away); Hubert de Lagarde (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Paris.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 51 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 13, 2023, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.