Paris 2e Arrondissement : Building, former Desmarets mansion

The hotel erected for Jacques Coquet, treasurer of France, at the end of the year 1639 can now be assigned without hesitation to Pierre Le Muet. This hotel is one of the models presented in the increases in the art of building the mute. It consisted of two sets of buildings, one overlooking the courtyard and the other between the courtyard and the garden, with two small sheds protruding on the garden and a return wing overlooking the street. It was sold to François Catelan, adviser to the king, who chose in 1659 Jacques and Liberal Bruant to make enlargements. This involved the extension of the building on the courtyard, the elevation of existing structures and the reconstruction of a large stone staircase with two suspended volley. Two ceilings dating from the first half of the 17th century decorate the pieces on the first floor. One of these ceilings, which is part of the additional inventory of historic monuments since 1926, is attributed to Charles Errard. In 1676, the hotel was acquired by Nicolas Desmarets, nephew of Colbert, who carried out a complete renovation. Other works are carried out during the 18th century, including the construction of a new staircase, which is still in place today, with a beautiful wrought iron ramp, built in 1750. After several uses and modifications, this office building must be restored. The elimination of false ceilings has revealed beams, old carpentry elements as well as remarkable ceilings.