Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Hot News Alert!!!


Ever dreamed of sleeping in the Palace of Versailles?

It looks like you'll get your chance in about a year. Officials announced a plan to convert a building at one of Europe's most popular tourist attractions into 23-bedroom luxury hotel earlier this week, Agence France Presse reports.

"It's a pioneering initiative," Jean-Jacques Aillagon, president of the Chateau de Versailles, said.

The hotel will be built inside the Hotel du Grand Controle, an outlying building that has been the traditional home of the chateau's treasurers.

Some of the rooms will look out on to the "Orangerie" - the chateau's elaborate greenhouse - or the Swiss ornamental lake, the story says. It's expected to open in late 2011.

The palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site that's deemed one of the crowning achievements of 18th-century French art, the story notes


The hotel will be turned over to a private, Belgian company, which will operate the hotel and pay a portion of its profits to the site as rent, the story says. The building will first undergo a $7.3 million renovation, led by historic monuments architect-in-chief Frederic Didier.

In November 2009, France's culture and tourism ministers agreed to encourage the economic and touristic development of French heritage sites. See the article for more information.

Given the role of a private company, however, the plan is not universally embraced in France.

According to France24, the motive to make money isn't a good enough reason to turn over one of France's most prized cultural possessions to a company.

Philippe Revault, a professor at the Paris School of Architecture, told France24:

"Once again, it's economic logic that wins out. In the name of profitability and lack of finances, they're gambling with a public possession, which by definition is inalienable and must remain accessible to all citizens."

I leave you with dreams of Versailles - what better way to go make something beautiful?


♥´¨)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨) ¸.•*´¨)
(¸.•´ (¸.•´♥ Tristan

23 comments:

Cape Cod Rambling Rose said...

To only spend $7.3M to renovate a place such as that sounds like a bargain... could you even IMAGINE staying there?! I'd never want to leave!

Valarie said...

I know where I am going on my next honeymoon. haha
xxoo Valarie

Grace said...

Oh my goodness! When I went 2 years ago I thought it would be wonderful to have a grand hotel in the area and now will be on site? Wonderful! Thank you so much for this wonderful info. Grace xoxo

Frieda Oxenham said...

Perhaps we should all make a bulk booking and move in!

peggy gatto said...

I'll take a room with a view!

Malisa said...

Think I could book a room there on Priceline? :)

You and your readers come join in the Never-Ending Story today! I always love your twists and turns!

Malisa

moonlighthollow.blogspot.com

Michele Lynch Art said...

How fabulous would that be?! I wonder how much it will cost a night? Something to dream about! xo Michele

Chris 'Frog Queen' Davis said...

Oh, I am both happy and sad. I LOVE this place. The inside is breathtaking....and the gardens are my idea of heaven.

Part of me would LOVE the opportunity to stay there (I would have to mortgage the house I imagine, but oh, would that be worth it!!) and the other part (more so) agrees with the thoughts that this is a national treasure.

So, is it just a matter of time that you can rent space in the Louvre? :D

Thanks for sharing!

Cheers!

Ineke Original said...

I hope you will win.

jaz@octoberfarm said...

haha...my house is like a mini versailles! i can't get enough gold leaf. it is an awful addiction. i've even had platinum leaf done.

Sara said...

WOW - that would be awesome...to just stay one night there!!!

In the Light of the Moon said...

Ooooh the idea of actually staying there...Oh my..how wonderful..A girl might never want to leave.
Big Hugs,Cat

Createology said...

Ahh the life of the super wealthy...I shall merely enjoy these lovely photos you share Tristan. Thank you for beauty...

Ingrid Mida said...

I read about this a few days ago and am starting to save up... It would be so fabulous to stay there. I can hardly wait. It is on the top of my bucket list!

The Joy of Nesting said...

Oye Kiddo,

I would need a whole new wardrobe right from my unmentionables out. I'm just saying I'm pretty sure one might end up being "smited" for wearing plain cotton underthings!! :)

Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.

Victoria Sayer said...

UNREAL. My mind is boggling to think of being surrounded by SUCH elaborate embellishment.
By the way, what does it smell like?? Just curious...

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

OMG the epitome of luxe!!!! BEAUTIFUL, TRISTAN!!! Anita

Deborah said...

I could use a $7.3 million renovation on myself, not my house. Oh well...Have you booked your stay yet? I can just picture you regally lying on that bed while the servants kneel outside the gate, waiting to serve you. Happy New Year, Tristan. Ever so good to see you back. **kisses** Deb

Pearl Maple said...

What fabulous news, many of admire the beauty of these venues and if paying a fee to stay helps to keep them maintained, it sounds like a good idea.

Creations by Marie Antoinette and Edie Marie said...

It all sounds so wonderful. I could only dream, but sometimes dreams do come true.
Happy New Year Tristan

Maggi said...

Wow, I cannot even begin to imagine staying there!

Glennis said...

Wow, what a dream come true!!

Gabriela Delworth - Instructional Designer said...

Hello Tristan,

This could be amazing!



~ Gabriela ~