In France, the sumptuous residences of wealthy individuals situated in towns are called « hotels ». One fine example of these historic buildings is the Hotel Brienne, the construction of which was undertaken between 1723 and 1730. Hotel Brienne was designed by the bourgeois architect François DEBIAS-AUBRY, and had several renowned owners; the Marquise of PRIE, the Marquise of LA VRILLIERE and the princess of CONTI. Hotel Brienne was then owned by the Count of LOMENIE de BRIENNE who gave his name to this residence, Brienne being a medieval county of France.

Purchased by Lucien Bonaparte on 8 July 1802 and then in 1805 by the mother of Napoleon 1st, who owned it until 1817, the hotel was then purchased by the French state to house the Department of War, who remains there to this day.

Reception Room HM18

The room on the whole seemed in a reasonable state of preservation, a room harmonious and coherent, work having been effected here in the early XIX century. It was proposed therefore, to carry out a sympathetic renovation mainly concerned with the poor state of the woodwork.

In particular the wooden panels showed considerable damage from several causes; a room which was too dry, poor electrical installations (cutting of the crossbeams etc), a disrespect for the features; for example the huge mirrors which were not hung back in the original fashion, the use of putty and the layers of paint which stifle the wood.

The mouldings and decorative elements were obscured by the many layers of paint applied over the years. This problem was demonstrated in many areas; the wood panelling, the ceiling decorations and the stucco at the top of the doors. The paint and gildings were equally old and the many « retouches » were all too visible.

The floor was of medium quality, apparently restored several times and with little attention paid to matching the newer floor boards with the original ones although recently sanded and varnished.

Reception Room HM19A

The general condition of this room was more or less satisfactory. Only a few problems were obvious, notably being the oldest woodwork; cracks and openings in the joints of shutters, door frames etc….

Recent work, not reaching our high standards was also noted; skirting boards screwed into the wall and boxing to hide electrical cables. Visually around the room it was easy to see the wear and tear endured over the years; dull and dirty wall finishes, curtains and poles no longer in keeping with the original, bricks within the chimney beginning to move etc…

Reception Room HM19B

The room seemed to be in good decorative order overall. Only a few problems of presentation were noted: the poor finish caused by elements included which were not to the original for example the curtains, the decorative radiator screen situated under the window was too open, revealing the unsightly heating installation underneath.

On the floor, the presence of a carpet did not allow for the condition of the parquet to be known.