After our work on the residence of the architect Mansart de Sagonne, our exploration of 18th‑century Versailles continues with an equally emblematic project. We are honoured to be working on the Hôtel Rousseau, the former residence of Jules‑Antoine Rousseau, one of the greatest sculptors and ornamentalists of King Louis XV, with whom Mansart de Sagonne closely collaborated. This site places us at the heart of a dialogue between two masters of their time.

Located between Boulevard de la Reine and Rue Baillet‑Reviron, this private mansion is one of the last witnesses of Versailles architecture “between courtyard and garden.” Although altered over the centuries, it retains this unique layout that offered its inhabitants a harmonious transition between the bustle of the street and the intimacy of a private garden — a discreet luxury set back from the excitement of the palace.

Owned by the Banque de France, which entrusted us with the project management, the building is undergoing a delicate restoration of its external joinery. The challenge is considerable: to reconcile the preservation of a precious architectural heritage with current requirements for comfort and energy performance, all while the site remains occupied.

Our intervention is based on a threefold approach :

Materials and exceptional craftsmanship: All new joinery will be made from French oak, a noble and durable timber. They will be finished with linseed‑oil paint, using a traditional technique, in a subtly tinted grey that restores the discreet elegance of the 18th century. This choice makes it possible to recover an aesthetic faithful to the original spirit while ensuring exceptional longevity.

Preservation of authentic details: Whenever possible, period ironwork will be carefully removed, restored by specialised craftsmen, and reinstalled. These elements, witnesses to the locksmiths’ expertise of the 18th century, are essential to preserve the soul and character of the house.

Performance and discretion: The major technical challenge was to integrate modern thermal performance without altering the appearance of the windows. Thanks to precise joinery and the use of high‑performance glazing, we will significantly improve interior comfort while preserving the slenderness of the profiles and the authenticity of the views, both courtyard and garden side.

This project embodies our vision: to inhabit heritage is to make it live and to hand it on. In restoring the Hôtel Rousseau we do more than preserve stone and wood; we reveal the story of a more intimate, secret Versailles while sensitively adapting it to the needs of our time.