Misplaced Pages

#429570

49-635: The Petit Luxembourg ( pronounced [pəti lyksɑ̃buʁ] ; "Little Luxembourg") is an hôtel particulier and the official residence of the President of the French Senate . It is located at 17–17 bis, Rue de Vaugirard , just west of the Luxembourg Palace , which serves as the seat of the Senate, in the 6th arrondissement of Paris . Originally built around 1550 to the designs of an unknown architect, it

98-639: A first under the Fifth Republic , marking "a form of strengthening of the Senate". Bicameralism was first introduced in France amid the French Revolution in 1795 ; as in many countries, it assigned the upper chamber with the role of moderating the lower, although for a long time as an ally of the executive . The present selection mode of the Senate dates back to the start of the Third Republic , when it

147-614: A higher income, capital and land possession compared to general voters. As an indirectly elected house, the Senate is often criticised by political parties such as La France Insoumise on the left and the National Rally on the right as not being sufficiently popularly representative. Although both La France Insoumise and the National Rally enjoy significant representation in the National Assembly, they are far less represented in

196-600: A new wing for the Palatine officers. The new wing preserved the style of the old corps de logis to the east and incorporated vestiges of the Couvent des Filles-du-Calvaire , founded by Marie de Médicis in 1622. These can still be seen in the winter garden and the Mannerist interior of the Queen's Chapel. Between the street and the courtyard Boffrand added an entrance screen which connected

245-458: A regular rhythm." The focus of the décor was high in the spandrels between the arches, not in the wall panels as seen with Lepautre. This principle, first employed by J. H. Mansart at the Grand Trianon , kept the main part of the wall surface free for hangings, such as tapestries and paintings. The band of ornate spandrels running around the room achieves a unity, which is further emphasized by

294-511: A result of its election relying on what is often summed up as rural mayors, it has had a right-wing majority since 1958, with only a three-year exception in 2011–2014. The President of the Senate is to step in as acting President of France in case of an incapacitation or a vacancy, which last happened in 1974. The officeholder also appoints three members of the Constitutional Council . Since 2014, Gérard Larcher has been President of

343-635: Is especially noted for the surviving Rococo interiors designed in 1710–1713 by the French architect Germain Boffrand . Further west, at 19 rue de Vaugirard, is the Musée du Luxembourg . The original sixteenth-century building is of obscure origin, but became known as the Hôtel de Luxembourg after its acquisition in 1570 by François de Luxembourg , who in 1581 became Duc de Piney , Pair de France . Marie de Médicis purchased

392-517: Is limited. As was the case in the Fourth Republic's constitution, new cabinets do not have to receive a vote of confidence. Also, a vote of censure can occur only after 10 per cent of the members sign a petition; if rejected, those members that signed cannot sign another petition until that session of Parliament has ended. If the petition gets the required support, a vote of censure must gain an absolute majority of all members, not just those voting. If

441-697: Is the upper house of the French Parliament , with the lower house being the National Assembly , the two houses constituting the legislature of France . It is made up of 348 senators ( sénateurs and sénatrices ) elected by part of the country's local councillors in indirect elections . Senators have six-year terms, with half of the seats up for election every three years. They represent France's departments (328), overseas collectivities (8) and citizens abroad (12). Senators' mode of election varies upon their constituency's population size: in

490-676: The Duchess of Bourbon, Madame la Duchesse , lived at the Trianon and later built the Palais Bourbon in Paris , the design of which copied the Trianon. In 1708, the prototypes for the commodes Mazarine , then called bureaux , were delivered to the Trianon by André-Charles Boulle . The first Duke of Antin , Louis Antoine de Pardaillan de Gondrin , director of the Bâtiments du Roi , wrote to Louis XIV: "I

539-507: The Government relies: in case of disagreement, the Assembly can in many cases have the last word, although the Senate keeps a role in some key procedures, such as constitutional amendments . However, following the 2024 snap legislative election and the ensuing political fragmentation in the Assembly, the newly-appointed Barnier government holds a majority in the Senate but not in the Assembly,

SECTION 10

#1732848527430

588-619: The National Assembly . The left, led by the Socialist Party, gained control of the Senate for the first time since 1958 during the 2011 election , leading to the election of Jean-Pierre Bel at its presidency. This proved a short-lived win, as the right, led by the Union for a Popular Movement , regained the Senate three years later. The Senate has a larger share of citizens (especially of local descent, compared to non-citizens) among its voters compared to other institutions. Also, Senate voters have

637-613: The galerie des Cotelle , a gallery with paintings by Jean l'Aîné Cotelle representing the bosquets of Versailles and Trianon. During the French Revolution of 1789, the Grand Trianon was left to neglect. At the time of the First French Empire , Napoleon made it one of his residences, and he furnished it in the Empire Style . Napoleon lived at Trianon with his second wife, Marie Louise of Austria . The next royals to live at

686-426: The hamlet of Trianon, on the outskirts of Versailles . In 1670, he commissioned the architect Louis Le Vau to design a porcelain pavilion ( Trianon de porcelaine ) to be built there. The façade was made of white and blue Delft -style porcelain ( ceramic ) tiles from the French manufactures of Rouen , Lisieux , Nevers and Saint-Cloud . Construction began in 1670 and was finished two years later. Since it

735-533: The hôtel in 1612 when she began acquiring property for the construction of the adjacent Luxembourg Palace. The old hôtel soon became known as the Petit Luxembourg to distinguish it from the larger building. In 1627 Marie de Médicis gave the Petit Luxembourg to Cardinal de Richelieu , who occupied it while his own grand palace, the Palais-Cardinal , was constructed on the rue Saint-Honoré . Richelieu left

784-488: The Assembly and the Senate have politically distinct majorities, the Assembly will in most cases prevail; open conflict between the two houses is uncommon. As per article 24 of the Constitution, the Senate is the representative of the territories and defends the local elected officials. The Senate also serves to monitor the administration's actions by publishing many reports each year on various topics. Until September 2004,

833-519: The Grand Trianon to his wife Marie Leszczyńska . Later, it was during a stay at Trianon that Louis XV fell ill before being transported to the Palace of Versailles, where he died on 10 May 1774. No more than his predecessor had, Louis XVI brought no structural modifications to the Grand Trianon. His wife, Queen Marie Antoinette , who preferred the Petit Trianon , gave a few theatrical representations in

882-581: The Grand Trianon were the King and Queen of the French – Louis Philippe I and his Italian wife Maria Amalia of the Two Sicilies . He was a descendant of the Regent Philippe d'Orléans, and she was a niece of Marie Antoinette. In October 1837, Marie d'Orléans (daughter of Louis Philippe I) married Alexander of Württemberg at the Grand Trianon. Louis Philippe made sanitary alterations to the Grand Trianon, moving

931-403: The National Assembly. However, 90% of the electors are delegates appointed by councillors. This system introduces a bias in the composition of the Senate favoring rural areas. As a consequence, while the political majority changes frequently in the National Assembly, the Senate has remained politically right, with one brief exception (2011–2014), since the foundation of the Fifth Republic , much to

980-505: The Palace of Versailles. Louis reputedly ordered the architects to "Paint everything white. No gilt or color for the walls of Trianon." This was a departure from the variegated marbles, rich colors, and gilding which defined the interiors at Versailles. Instead of the heavy ornamentation on display in the palace, the walls of the Trianon were covered in delicately carved wood boiseries , with plaster friezes, pilasters, and capitals of noticeably more refined, delicate appearance. The Trianon

1029-462: The Petit Luxembourg to his niece, the Duchess of Aiguillon . It was inherited in turn by the Grand Condé , who left it to his son, Henri Jules de Bourbon-Condé . The latter's widow, Anne of Bavaria, Princess Palatine , engaged the architect Germain Boffrand to enlarge and redecorate it between 1710 and 1713. Boffrand demolished the service buildings to the west of the courtyard, replacing them with

SECTION 20

#1732848527430

1078-634: The Petit Luxembourg was the assigned residence of the Count of Provence (the future Louis XVIII of France ) and his wife. Under Napoleon, the Conseil d'État (Council of State) was seated at the Petit Luxembourg from 25 December 1799. Since 1958, the Petit Luxembourg has been the official residence of the president of the French Senate . Senate (France) 48°50′54″N 2°20′14″E  /  48.84833°N 2.33722°E  / 48.84833; 2.33722 The Senate ( French : Sénat , [sena] )

1127-404: The Senate had 321 members, each elected to serve for a nine-year term. In that month, the term was reduced to six years, while – to reflect a growth in the country's population – the number of senators was set to increase progressively, to reach 348 by 2011. Senators had been elected in thirds every three years; this was also changed to one half of their number every three years. The president of

1176-671: The Senate is elected by senators from among their members. The current incumbent is Gérard Larcher . The President of the Senate is, under the Constitution of the Fifth Republic, first in the line of succession—in case of death, resignation or removal from office (only for health reasons)—to the presidency of the French Republic , becoming Acting President of the Republic until a new election can be held. This happened twice for Alain Poher —once at

1225-516: The Senate, as they do not have a large number of local councillors affiliated with them, who in turn elect the senators. The left has historically opposed the very existence of a second chamber, while the right has defended it; controversies over the Senate's role are revived from time to time. The common phrase "a senator's pace" ( un train de sénateur ) mocks the upper house's perceived slow rhythm and readiness to let new legislation die. Grand Trianon Between 1663 and 1665, Louis XIV purchased

1274-500: The Senate. The Senate is housed inside the Luxembourg Palace in the 6th arrondissement of Paris . Like the National Assembly, it is guarded by Republican Guards . In front of the building lies the Senate's garden, the renowned Jardin du Luxembourg , open to the public. France's first experience with an upper house was under the Directory from 1795 to 1799, when the Council of Ancients

1323-404: The Senate. When the Senate and the National Assembly cannot agree on a bill, the administration can decide, after a procedure called commission mixte paritaire , to give the final decision to the National Assembly, whose majority is normally on the government's side, but as regarding the constitutional laws the administration must have the Senate's agreement. This does not happen frequently; usually

1372-523: The construction of a larger wing for the Trianon, which was begun in 1708 by Hardouin-Mansart; this wing, called Trianon-sous-Bois , housed the Orléans family, including Louis XIV's legitimised daughter Françoise-Marie de Bourbon . The king's youngest grandson, Charles de France , and his wife Marie Louise Élisabeth d'Orléans also resided there. The Orléans family, who had apartments at the Palace of Versailles, were later replaced by Françoise-Marie's sister;

1421-469: The control of the Senate; they retained their majority in 2017 . Under the Constitution of France , the Senate has nearly the same powers as the National Assembly . Bills may be submitted by the government ( projets de loi ) or by either house of Parliament ( propositions de loi ). Because both houses may amend the bill, it may take several readings to reach an agreement between the National Assembly and

1470-490: The displeasure of the Socialists . This has spurred controversy, especially after the 2008 election in which the Socialist Party, despite controlling all but two of France's regions , a majority of departments , as well as communes representing more than 50% of the population, still failed to achieve a majority in the Senate. The Senate has also been accused of being a "refuge" for politicians that have lost their seats in

1519-406: The kitchens and offices to the basement and adding plumbing. Despite these changes "the general character of the palace was unchanged, and even the original arrangement of the rooms was preserved," according to Pierre de Nolhac . In 1873, Marshal François Achille Bazaine was imprisoned for treason at the Grand Trianon and his trial took place in the peristyle. In 1920, the Grand Trianon hosted

Petit Luxembourg - Misplaced Pages Continue

1568-416: The less populated constituencies (one or two seats), they are elected individually, whereas in more populated ones (three seats or more), they are elected on lists. It is common for senators to hold dual mandates , such as in a regional council or departmental council . The Senate enjoys less prominence than the National Assembly, which is elected on direct universal ballot and upon the majority of which

1617-627: The model of the British House of Lords . At first it contained hereditary peers, but following the July Revolution of 1830, it became a body whose members were appointed for life. The Second Republic returned to a unicameral system after 1848, but soon after the establishment of the Second Empire in 1852, a Senate was established as the upper chamber. In the Fourth Republic , the Senate

1666-581: The negotiations and signing of the Treaty of Trianon , which left Hungary with less than one-third of its pre- World War I land size. To Hungarians, the word "Trianon" remains to this day the symbol of one of their worst national disasters. In 1963, Charles de Gaulle ordered a renovation of the building. A popular site today for tourists visiting Versailles, it is also one of the French Republic 's presidential residences used to host foreign officials. It

1715-548: The next (the Salon des Tapisseries) still has Boffrand's ceiling, cornices , and frieze . The following room, the Grand Salon also retains these elements. In large rooms, such as the stair hall and the Grand Salon, Boffrand's unit of design was not the wall (as seen with Pierre Lepautre ), but rather the entire room. Each wall consisted of a great arcade , which "pulled the space together and subordinated doors, windows, and mirrors to

1764-405: The old to the new. Its portal is flanked by Tuscan columns on the concave courtyard side and Ionic on the convex street side. The upper floor contains a corridor connecting the east and west wings. Although Boffrand preserved the façades of the older wing, he completely redesigned the interior. A modest vestibule with Ionic columns leads directly to a grand two-storey stair hall decorated on

1813-494: The original design, meant to harmonize with the roof of the Trianon de porcelaine , was vetoed by the king, who felt it looked too "heavy" on the structure. The long interior gallery which forks west from the main wing was built on the spot of a favorite outdoor promenade that Louis XIV enjoyed at the old Trianon de porcelaine . The interior design scheme departed significantly from what Louis XIV and his architects had established at

1862-406: The original intention of keeping the core of the Trianon de porcelaine intact vetoed in favor of an open-air peristyle with a screen of red marble columns facing onto the garden. At least three other structures were built at the center of the new building and then torn down before the peristyle was settled on, during the frantic building activity of the summer of 1687. The sloping Mansard roof of

1911-460: The resignation of Charles de Gaulle and once at the death of Georges Pompidou . The President of the Senate also has the right to designate three of the nine members of the Constitutional Council , serving for nine years. Senators are elected indirectly by approximately 150,000 officials, known as the grands électeurs , including regional councillors, department councillors, mayors, municipal councillors in large communes, as well as members of

1960-515: The slightly vaulted ceiling. Boffrand's decorative motifs, "the linked C-scrolls entwined with palmettes and festoons," are more similar to those of Jean Bérain than Lepautre. Boffrand also added another hôtel for the household, with kitchens and stables, on the other side of rue de Vaugirard; an underground passage linked the two residences. During the French Revolution, from 6 October 1789 until their departure into exile on 20 June 1791 ,

2009-408: The two houses eventually agree on the bill, or the administration decides to withdraw it. This power however gives the National Assembly a prominent role in the law-making process, especially since the administration is necessarily of the same side as the Assembly, for the Assembly can dismiss the administration through a motion of censure. The power to pass a vote of censure, or vote of no confidence,

Petit Luxembourg - Misplaced Pages Continue

2058-451: The upper floor with pilasters of the Composite order , elaborate carvings, and a coffered vault. The staircase , much admired in its day, sweeps up to the piano nobile in a single flight, its grandeur enhanced with balustrades of stone, rather than the more usual wrought iron . The princess's apartments lead directly off the landing. The first room no longer has the original décor, but

2107-617: Was at the Trianon inspecting the second writing desk by Boulle; it is as beautiful as the other and suits the room perfectly." In 1717, Peter the Great of Russia, who was studying the palace and gardens of Versailles, resided at the Trianon; the Peterhof Palace was inspired by Versailles. Louis XV did not bring any changes to the Grand Trianon. In 1740 and 1743, his father-in-law, Stanisław Leszczyński , former king of Poland, stayed there during his visits to Versailles. In 1741, Louis XV gifted

2156-641: Was home to Louis XIV's extended family, housing his son and heir Louis, Grand Dauphin from 1703 to 1711. The domain was also a favourite retreat of the Duchess of Burgundy , the wife of his grandson Louis de France , the parents of Louis XV . In the later years of Louis XIV's reign, the Trianon was the residence of the King's sister-in-law Elizabeth Charlotte of the Palatinate , Dowager Duchess of Orléans and known at court as Madame . Her son, Philippe d'Orléans , future son-in-law of Louis XIV and Regent of France, lived there with his mother. Louis XIV even ordered

2205-471: Was made of porcelain, the building suffered from deterioration. Louis XIV ordered its demolition in 1686 and replaced it with a larger building. By 1686, the fragile porcelain tiles of the Trianon de porcelaine had deteriorated to such a point that Louis XIV ordered the demolition of the pavilion and its replacement with one made of stronger material. Commission of the work was entrusted to the architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart . Hardouin-Mansart's new structure

2254-463: Was replaced by the Council of the Republic , but its function was largely the same. With the new Constitution of the Fifth Republic which came into force on 4 October 1958, the older name of Senate was restored. In 2011 , the Socialist Party won control of the Senate for the first time since the foundation of the Fifth Republic. In 2014 , the centre-right Gaullists and their allies won back

2303-656: Was the upper chamber. There were Senates in both the First and Second Empires (the former being known as the Sénat conservateur , the latter as the French Senate), but these were only nominally legislative bodies – technically they were not legislative, but rather advisory bodies on the model of the Roman Senate . With the Restoration in 1814, a new Chamber of Peers was created, on

2352-445: Was turned into what Léon Gambetta famously called a "grand council of the communes of France". Over time, it developed a sense of independence as a "guardian of the institutions" and "guardian of liberties", favoured by the fact that senators are on average older than deputies in the Assembly, joining the Senate in the later part of their career. Debates in the Senate tend to be less tense and generally receive less media coverage. As

2401-557: Was twice the size of the porcelain pavilion, and the material used was red marble from Languedoc . Begun in June 1687, the new construction (as we see it today) was finished in January 1688. It was inaugurated by Louis XIV and his secret wife, the Marquise de Maintenon , during the summer of 1688. Hardouin-Mansart's early plans for the building were substantially altered during construction, with

#429570