The Palais Niel is the most prestigious built residence with Toulouse during the XIXe century. It was built for the Marshal of France Adolphe Niel between 1863 and 1868.

History

When, under the Second Empire, one decided to organize the great commands and to place at their head a Marshal of France, Toulouse was indicated to receive the chief of the Regional Army of the South (sixth Great Military Command). The Maréchal Adolphe Niel inaugurated this command in 1859, with the return of the countryside of Italy. The Duranti hotel was then the seat of the general headquarter and the Maréchal Niel settled there. Very quickly, one admitted the need for finding to him an installation more in connection with his function and his prestige. The decision to build a palate to him was then made.

In the district of the Gardens, conceived by Louis de Mondran with the XVIIIe century, a long strip of land called " Foirail" extended between the Royal Garden and the Saint-Etienne Door. The March 13rd 1860, the mayor yielded to the State two thirds of this Foirail, that is to say 10.000 m ², for the construction of the palate. The State bought the grounds and buildings in addition bordering the street Montoulieu Saint-Jacob and the street Escoussières-Montoulieu, the latter being pressed on the old Roman wall. The Niel Palate was thus built on the old fortifications of Toulouse. Part of the unhealthy classified dwellings were destroyed for construction of the palate and installation of the place Saint-Jacob.

Work was carried out of 1863 with 1868 and on January 1st 1868, the Count de Goyon, new Commander of the 6th Army corps, took possession of the residence because, irony of fate, the Maréchal Niel, become meanwhile Ministre for the War in 1867, will never lie in the palate which bears its name and will die one year later in 1869.

Architecture

The external framework

Among the projects suggested, that of the Capitaine of the Génie Bonnal is that selected. This Captain, of Toulouse origin , provides the overall plans of the building, of which construction démare under the reign of Napoleon III, just after the construction of the wing Rivoli of the Louvre and the Opéra Garnier. Its characteristic remains in its various architectural influences.

Built on three levels, the principal building will be critical, in particular for its entry, considered to be too small compared to the unit, which can appear excessive because it is dared to claim that a larger entry would have given more harmony to the frontage. Rare fact in the area, the mansard-roofed roof is in Ardoise, which is not without pointing out the influence of Parisian architecture .

The Northern frontage

The Northern, side place Montoulieu, severe and martial frontage, is supplemented by two wing S in return which delimits the court honor. The entry, framed by doric columns, evokes a Triumphal arch. A plank of trophies and helmets underline the military aspect of it. Henri Mauriette, professor with the Art schools, carved the pediment which crowns the stage. He shows us " thus; France crowned light enters the war and the paix" , like Minerve and arts. As for the windows, the ornament was carried out by Calmettes.

The Southern frontage

The Southern frontage opens on the gardens and the Garden of the Large-Round while being integrated harmoniously into this framework. The Péristyle confers on this frontage a prestigious and elegant aspect. The curvilinear pediment carved by the Toulousain Charles Ponsin-Andarahy represents pleasant Putti in the middle of military and agricultural symbols (allusion perhaps to the Toulouse economy ). To note the geniuses of the war, carved by Alphonse Azibert.

The large cedar of Lebanon

There is also in the garden large a Cèdre of the Lebanon, brought in 1866 thanks to the ingeniousness of Demouilles, well-known horticulturist at that time. This tree, located beyond the veterinary bridge of the School, is with more than 2.5 km, was then thirty years old and measured one meter twenty of circumference. It was necessary for that to extract at the same time as the tree a volume imposing from ground: dimensions of this gigantic mound were fixed at 4.20 m in diameter and 1.20 m thickness. The unit constituted a weight of approximately 35 tons. Rails, rollers of iron, a horse and six men were necessary to move the whole. If the main difficulties were to turn to right angle to several crossroads and to take the descent going of the veterinary bridge of the School at the station, Demouilles had to fight to obtain the authorizations of transport. The tree arrived to destination more than one month and half after the beginning of sound désenracinement. It any more but did not remain to deposit it in the pit prepared to receive it, after however having cut down a side of the enclosing wall.

The interior framework

The hall

In the hall a monumental main staircase to right flights in return is, whose slope in cast iron is decorated palms and of Rinceau X. Along the walls, a decoration of garlands of sheets of Oak and Bay-tree, trophies and of eagle S, give to the unit an at the same time theatrical and solemn aspect. The large staircase would not be what it is without the portrait of the Maréchal Niel (painted by the River in 1860), which adds to the prospect all its dimension. There are also many military trophies, of allegories to arts and the warriors of the Antiquité. The plates being in the hall bear the names of all the general having had a command to Toulouse.

The large living room

The large living room is a reception point as its volume shows it. It east impresses majesty with its sompteuses columns, its gildings and its five splendid glosses. Its characteristic lies in the use of the arcades which divide it into three parts, thus offering a space for the festivities and the balls. The large mirrors, surmounted imperial eagle, underline the prestigious aspect and confer of it on the living room its dimension of festival and parade, as the garlands and the musical instruments suggest it. It should be noted that on the chimney the sticks of command are, symbol of the Marshal, as well as the bust of Mrs Niel.

The living room of the marshals

The living room of the marshals is a reception room whose characteristic lies in this half-rotunda opening on the park. A long vegetable garland surrounds the ceiling decorated with trophies, the imperial figure and two majestic eagles. The bust on the chimney represents the sculptor François Lucas, author in particular of the low-relief of the Bridge-twins to the junction of the Canal of the South and the Canal of Brienne.

See too

Internal bonds

• Adolphe Niel
• Second Empire
• Toulouse

External bonds

• http://www.culture.gouv.fr/documentation/memoire/VISITES/palaisniel.htm