A Great sign

The false ceiling of what is now Room 100 in the hotel certainly piqued curiosity for those familiar with the history of the place. It is the story of a structure built in 1658 by Daniel Gittard, a student of Louis Le Vau who had collaborated with Jules Hardouin- Mansart, notably participating in the construction of the Saint-Sulpice Church, the famous Hôtel de Cavoye just a few steps away, as well as a private mansion for Lully, the superintendent of the king’s music, and the foundations and gardens of Vaux-le-Vicomte alongside Le Nôtre. Counting among the greats talents of the time and the shapers of history, Gittard, appointed as the king’s architect at the age of only30, chose Rue des Saints- Pères to erect his own private mansion, occupying the top floor and renting out the rest of the building. It was on the first floor, occupied at the time by Pierre Abraham, Lord of Charange and royal advisor, that the treasure was discovered during the construction works of what would become the Hôtel des Saints Pères..

Monumental and perfectly preserved for decades under a false ceiling (only its varnish has been cleaned), the fresco titled «The Good Omen crowned by Virtue and Intelligence.» once again unveiled its allegory measuring eight meters by five meters. Intelligence, star-studded, illuminating the world and dispelling the darkness of the sky. While it is difficult to ascertain with certainty the name of the artist, as well as that of the floral decor bordering it (although here we recognize the touch of Jean-Baptiste Monnoyer, who also worked at the royal court), the fresco is undoubtedly attributed to the School of Versailles. It has been recognized as the only surviving genuine fresco on the Left Bank from the 17th century, according to the expertise of Pierre Rosenberg, former curator and president-director of the Louvre Museum. This remarkable discovery not only shaped the destiny of the room but also influenced the entire hotel and the Esprit de France collection—now comprising twelve hotels and around thirty residences—all dedicated to promoting arts and craftsmanship, truly a sign of good omen.