La Lanterne (Versailles)

Coordinates: 48°48′14.6″N 2°5′32″E / 48.804056°N 2.09222°E / 48.804056; 2.09222 La Lanterne is a hunting lodge in Versailles. It serves as the official retreat of the President of France.

Location

It is located next to the Palace of Versailles, in the city of Versailles.[1][2][3][4] It is four hectares wide, bordered by a tall wall and poplars, and it is forbidden to fly over the property.[1][2] It takes 30 minutes by car to get there from the Élysée Palace, the official residence of the President of France.[1][3]

History

It was built in 1787 for Philippe Louis de Noailles (1752-1819).[1][2][4]

From 1959 to 2007, it was the secondary residence of the Prime Minister of France.[1][2] Michel Rocard, who served as Prime Minister of France from 1988 to 1991, commissioned a swimming-pool and a tennis court.[1] Édouard Balladur, PM from 1993 to 1995, buried his dog in the garden.[1] Lionel Jospin, PM from 1997 to 2002, and his wife Sylviane Agacinski spent most weekends there.[1] Dominique de Villepin, PM from 2005 to 2007, liked its extensive wine cellar.[2] Since 2007, under President Nicolas Sarkozy, it was also used by the French President.[1] His wedding dinner to Carla Bruni took place there.[2]

Bibliography

References


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