Video of the hotel
Historical overview
Watch the video
202 rue de Rivoli
75 001 Paris
Tél 33 (0)1 44 58 43 21
Fax 33 (0)1 44 58 43 37
Email
Contact us
Contact us
History
A past steeped in history
The Saint-James & Albany Hotel, built at the end of the 17th century in 1672 and former residence of the Dukes of Noailles, carries a long history. For example, Marquis La Fayette’s wedding on 11 April 1774 to the daughter of the Duke of Noailles or Queen Marie Antoinette’s visit on 15 February 1779.
The Marquis La Fayette
The Marquis was born on 6 September 1757 to Marie-Joseph Paul du Motier, a noble family from Chavaniac castle in Auvergne. In 1772 La Fayette chose to follow a military career like his father. He became captain of King Louis XVI dragons. In 1773, he married Marie Adrienne Françoise de Noailles, daughter of one of the kingdom’s most influential families.
In April 1777, despite being forbidden by the king, he secretly set off for America to help the "insurgents". La Fayette funded the purchase and arming of a ship before rallying the Americans. He went on to play his part in numerous victories, including at Yorktown, which led to the Declaration of Independence. In 1789, during the French Revolution, he had the first Declaration of the Rights of Man and
of Citizens passed on 11 July. La Fayette died in Paris on 20 May 1834.
