These gorgeous windows belong to l’Hôtel de Sens in the Marais area of Paris.
This hôtel particulier was built by Archbishop Tristan Salazar between 1475 and 1519 to be the home and power base in Paris for the archbishopric of Sens. Unfortunately, he died in 1519 and after his death the building had something of a mixed history.
Most famously, it became the home of Marguerite de Valois (1553-1615), who took up residence in 1605 after her marriage to Henry IV was annulled. Queen Margot, as she became known, was famous for her hedonistic life and many lovers; if walls could speak…
Paris became an archbishopric in 1622, thus weakening the power of Sens, and the building was rented out. It was home to a number of transport businesses, a canning factory, a jam factory and a glassworks.
Apart from the debauchery of Queen Margot, the building’s other main claim to fame came in July 1830 when it was attacked during the three-day revolution. One cannonball still remains, lodged in the front facade and clearly marked with the date of impact.
Eventually, in 1911, the city of Paris purchased the hôtel. Following extensive renovation work between 1929 and 1961, the building is now home to the Bibliothèque Forney, a library that also stages temporary exhibitions drawn from its extensive collection of fine and graphic arts.
The peaceful and beautiful garden at the rear is open to the public and is a great little spot to rest a while and admire the architecture.
Jardin de l’Hôtel-de-Sens
Linked to Lingering Look at Windows, Whimsical Windows and Ruby Tuesday.
Travel with Intent 
The are all fantastic…really interesting angles and I love the touch of red against the sandstone.
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Wow, this is awesome!
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It pays to look up, yes? 😉
Red Cactus Close-up
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Very nice collection of images, but that little curved balcony is superb. Very nicely captured.
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Love those red touches! A beautiful building indeed.
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Gotta love secret gardens.
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I agree with Lesley, that was really interesting and beautiful! The building is captivating all on its own, but the red really catches your attention – thanks so much for sharing this!
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This post got better and better as I read on. The windows were exciting, but the story the behind the building makes it even more interesting.
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Reblogged this on CitraGran Cibubur.
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Thank you. I look forward to meeting some of your readers.
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Love a splash or two of red 🙂
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I haven’t seen this place either, and it is lovely. I like the red windows, the architecture and the grotesques as well as that lovely peaceful garden. Next time…
Jude xx
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My kind of library! I Googled it so I could see the inside too. Wow!
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Now there’s dedication! Glad it inspired 🙂
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Fascinating, thanks for the tour!
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Ohh, those are gorgeous! I’ve been to Paris three times but never seen that.
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I had been quite a few times over the years and only discovered it on my last trip. The whole area is worth exploration and I’ll be spending more time there next time I visit.
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Oh, I how love Parisian Hotels Particuliers…
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