The Hôtel Rousseau

The Hôtel Rousseau embodies an intimate side of Versailles — the world of artisans and artists who worked for the royal palace. It bears witness to eighteenth‑century Versailles domestic architecture and to its evolution up to the present day. Located at 50 Boulevard de la Reine, this study documents the development of an emblematic Versailles town house.

History of a Versailles town house

Construction in 1756

Jules‑Antoine Rousseau, ornamental designer to the King, commissioned the construction of this town house in Versailles in 1756. The previous year, he had purchased a plot on rue neuve Notre‑Dame (now rue Baillet‑Réviron) for 20,000 livres. The building reflects the architectural character of eighteenth‑century Versailles, a period when royal artists and craftsmen built their residences in the more discreet quarters of the city.

Architecture of the Hôtel Rousseau

Composition of a Versailles town house in the eighteenth century

A plan dating from 1758 details the architectural organization of the property :

• A central block flanked by two wings forming a courtyard

• Two stable pavilions framing a carriage entrance on the street

• A main façade opening onto a garden on the Boulevard de la Reine side

• A wrought‑iron balcony bearing the initials J. A. R.

  
  

Typical interior arrangement

Jules‑Antoine Rousseau designed a three‑level layout :

• Ground floor : stables, carriage storage and kitchen

• First floor : rented apartments occupying the central block and the east wing

• Attic level : servants’ quarters lit by dormer windows

The garden, planted with fruit trees and including a vegetable plot, extended 14 toises in depth — about half the depth of the typical Versailles plot.

Architectural transformations

1870 : Installation of the Banque de France in Versailles

The Banque de France acquired the property in 1870 to establish its Versailles branch. This new function initiated a series of transformations to the historic building.

Twentieth‑century modifications

1913 : Construction of the receipts gallery

Around 1950 : Demolition of the original stables

1963 : Major redevelopment of the site, authorized by a building permit allowing :

• Demolition of the receipts gallery

• Construction of the Tisanerie pavilion

• Erection of an office building on rue Saint‑Lazare

  
  

Évolution of the façade

Photographic archives from 1980 reveal finely divided windows and a very light façade color. Today, the ironwork has been altered, the window frames simplified, and the building presents an ochre tone.