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Paris fire damages landmark Hôtel Lambert mansion Paris fire damages landmark Hôtel Lambert mansion
(2 months later)
The 17th-century Hôtel Lambert, one of Paris's most important historic mansions, in which Chopin composed, George Sand wrote and Voltaire lived with his mistress, has been badly damaged by a fire.The 17th-century Hôtel Lambert, one of Paris's most important historic mansions, in which Chopin composed, George Sand wrote and Voltaire lived with his mistress, has been badly damaged by a fire.
The blaze in the early hours of Wednesday morning was thought to have started in the roof of the listed building, which was designed by the celebrated architect Louis Le Vau, who went on to transform the palace of Versailles for the Sun King, Louis XIV.The blaze in the early hours of Wednesday morning was thought to have started in the roof of the listed building, which was designed by the celebrated architect Louis Le Vau, who went on to transform the palace of Versailles for the Sun King, Louis XIV.
From 1.30am, more than 140 firefighters and 50 fire engines battled for over six hours to contain the flames, while neighbours evacuated from their homes described a "vast halo of red light" over the skyline of the Ile Saint Louis in central Paris. One firefighter was injured while emergency services tried to limit the damage to the historic frescos and artworks inside. The building was empty at the time as it was being renovated.From 1.30am, more than 140 firefighters and 50 fire engines battled for over six hours to contain the flames, while neighbours evacuated from their homes described a "vast halo of red light" over the skyline of the Ile Saint Louis in central Paris. One firefighter was injured while emergency services tried to limit the damage to the historic frescos and artworks inside. The building was empty at the time as it was being renovated.
The fire has plunged Paris's heritage experts into gloom. The Hôtel Lambert has been the focus of controversy since it was bought for an estimated €60m-plus (£52m) by a relative of the emir of Qatar in 2007. The owner's renovation plans sparked a scandal and series of court battles in Paris as local experts opposed the grand project for a luxury overhaul that included elevators, air-conditioning, an underground car park and a lift for vehicles. The specialist heritage architect Jean-François Cabestan, warned the plans would produce a monstrosity with "the aesthetics of a James Bond villa".The fire has plunged Paris's heritage experts into gloom. The Hôtel Lambert has been the focus of controversy since it was bought for an estimated €60m-plus (£52m) by a relative of the emir of Qatar in 2007. The owner's renovation plans sparked a scandal and series of court battles in Paris as local experts opposed the grand project for a luxury overhaul that included elevators, air-conditioning, an underground car park and a lift for vehicles. The specialist heritage architect Jean-François Cabestan, warned the plans would produce a monstrosity with "the aesthetics of a James Bond villa".
After adjournments, court disputes and changes to the plans, a truce was overseen by the culture ministry and Paris city hall and approved renovation work began in 2010.After adjournments, court disputes and changes to the plans, a truce was overseen by the culture ministry and Paris city hall and approved renovation work began in 2010.
The Paris fire brigade, which has not yet given a cause for the start of the fire, said work was taking place to establish the extent of fire, smoke and water damage to historic interiors and decorative artwork on walls and ceilings.The Paris fire brigade, which has not yet given a cause for the start of the fire, said work was taking place to establish the extent of fire, smoke and water damage to historic interiors and decorative artwork on walls and ceilings.
Before the fire, many works inside the building remained in an almost pristine state, including a series of frescos in the gallery of Hercules by Charles Le Brun, the 17th-century French artist who also worked for Louis XIV.Before the fire, many works inside the building remained in an almost pristine state, including a series of frescos in the gallery of Hercules by Charles Le Brun, the 17th-century French artist who also worked for Louis XIV.
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