Represented by Daniel Féau—Exclusive Affiliate for Christie's International Real Estate in Paris
After an extensive consultation, the public hospital system of Paris and its suburbs, or the Assistance Publique des Hôpitaux de Paris, chose Daniel Féau to exclusively manage the sale of the Hôtel de Miramion through a call for proposals. This magnificent private house, featuring 3,820 square meters of living space, is located at 45–53 quai de Tournelle in Paris’ Vth arrondissement and includes a basement, a ground floor, and four additional levels.
In the Days of the Bernardines
The land on which the Hôtel de Miramion stands was initially part of the "Clos de Chardonnet"—an area stretching from the Seine to the wooded plateau of Saint-Etienne du Mont, and bordered by the Bièvre. It was only after the Norman invasion that this zone was developed; consequently transforming the landscape. Monastic settlements were established, and the arrival of new parishes marked the beginning of urbanization. The first chapel Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet was constructed around 1230 to accommodate the Seine’s boatmen. The Cisterian monk and Clairvaux abbot, Etienne de Lexington, was at the time convinced that the revival of the Church could only be achieved with adequate education; consequently, the idea arose to create a Parisian establishment for the religious men of his abbey. This vast complex was built in 1247 and comprised a college with an immense refectory on the ground floor, a parish church, and monastic buildings. The high-maintenance cost of the establishment led the monks to sell part of their plot in the late 15th Century. Eventually, development increased on the land throughout the 16th and 17th Centuries, with influential families taking opportunities to build private homes. Subsequently, the Hôtel de Nesmond, the Hôtel de Selve— housing the first president of the Parlement de Paris — and the Hôtel de Christophe Martin emerged.
In the Days of Christophe Martin
During the 17th Century, residents of the Quai de la Tournelle worked most often in finance and as managers of the King’s stables, where they controlled the market of cars, harnesses, and horses. These activities represented a substantial source of income. Christophe Martin, a cousin of the owners of the Hôtel de Selve and a renowned notable in the area, fully belonged to this social environment. In 1630, at the time state counselor, intendant, and general manager of the King’s stables, Martin acquired a house built in the 16th Century. Upon purchase, he enlarged the home and ultimately transformed it into an aristocratic property. In order to expand his estate, Martin purchased and rented shares of the Bernardines land until obtaining close to one hectare. He transformed the quay’s dwelling, expanded the 16th-Century wing, and enlarged the Courtyard of Honor. At the back of the courtyard, he built a main dwelling, whose façade integrated round dormers and cow’s eyes. On the garden side, which is twice as large as the courtyard, the façade conveys a sense of monumentality. The order and décor of the buildings demonstrated the quest for style and resembled the Hôtel d’Aumont, which was built around the same epoch. This house is in fact, like the latter, attributed to François Mansart.
In 1675, a few years after the passing of Christophe Martin, Madame de Miramion acquired the Hôtel. Nicknamed "Mother of the Church" by Madame de Sévigné, and having experienced an early widowhood, the pious Madame de Miramion decided to dedicate herself to God, the poor, and to girls' education. In 1662, she established the community of the Sainte Famille, which was eventually merged with the Girls of Sainte Geneviève—founded 30 years earlier by Miss de Blosset. Madame de Miramion housed this new enlarged community in her recently acquired hôtel.
After the French Revolution
While initially spared by the secularization of Church property in 1789–1790, the community was eventually dissolved in 1794. The premises were gradually transformed into weaponry workshops, leaving space for workers' housing. In 1812, the General Council of Hospitals decided to transfer the Central Pharmacy of Hospitals—lodged since 1796 in the former "Hôpital des Enfants Trouvés"—to the Ile de la Cité. For approximately 150 years, the Central Pharmacy occupied the Hôtel de Miramion.
In 1926, the Miramion Hôtel was registered on the French Supplementary Historic Monument list with the Order of February 22, 1926. With the support of the Beaux-Arts Minister of the Daladier government, the façades on the courtyard and on the garden, as well as the painted beamed ceilings and the woodwork, received protection under the law for the preservation of Historic Monuments. The installation of the AP-HP Museum in 1934 was an important step for the promotion of this architectural ensemble.
In 1926, the Miramion Hôtel was registered on the French Supplementary Historic Monument list with the Order of February 22, 1926. With the support of the Beaux-Arts Minister of the Daladier government, the façades on the courtyard and on the garden, as well as the painted beamed ceilings and the woodwork, received protection under the law for the preservation of Historic Monuments. The installation of the AP-HP Museum in 1934 was an important step for the promotion of this architectural ensemble.
