Where did families of nobility (outside of the Royals) live in 18th Century Paris?

Question

I am doing some fiction work dealing with French nobility and I can't for the life of me get any answers on housing in Paris. A website with answers would be rather helpful, but your own answers are certainly welcome. Thanks.

Answer 1

There's not much about it on the internet, but many noble families had town houses called "hôtels" in the Marais district in Paris, though this was mainly in the 17th century. "Gradually, the nobility moved west to the new quarters of the Faubourg St-Honoré and Faubourg St-Germain." The court was still based in Versailles from 1722.

Have a look here:

http://www.answers.com/topic/le-marais-p...

http://www.parismarais.com/historical-ma...

http://www.paris.org/Kiosque/apr99/seven...

After Louis XIV, the court moved from Versailles to Vincennes, then Paris, but back to Versailles in 1722. "Versailles, however, was losing its grip on court society and the daily spaces of the aristocracy were becoming less centralized: nobles increasingly found themselves dividing their time among the court in Versailles, their houses in the surrounding countryside, and most of

all, their hotels, or noble residences, in Paris."

http://www.h-net.msu.edu/reviews/showpdf... (This site should help)

I think the library would be your best bet for more in-depth research.

Answer 2

Some had town houses, which, confusingly, were sometimes called 'hotels'.  In this, they were not unlike the British aristocrats with their London houses and country estates.

You might look at one or two of Denis Wheatley's novels, such as 'the launching of Roger Brook' - not a serious read, but with a little of the background detail you're seeking.