Hôtel de Matignon itself carries a history of over three hundred years. Until the French Revolution, it was originally a residence for nobles like princesses and princes. After the revolution, it changed hands several times. In 1935, it became officially the residence of important government officials. Currently, it serves as the Prime Minister's residence. Earlier, we had captured the interior design of the Hôtel de Matignon on Instagram, so this time we won't dwell on it. Instead, what we want to emphasise and what left the deepest impression on us is the French’s support for local manufacturers.
IN AWE OF A ROW OF ANTIQUES
It was the open day of the Prime Minister's residence when we paid our visit. Expectedly, there were many curious visitors who wanted to take a close look inside. We had to follow the queue and slowly make our way, but being patient had its perk. Having passed through the security check of the Prime Minister's residence, we had to cross the gate of the front courtyard. As soon as we crossed it, we were immediately in awe of a row of antique cars. They were neatly parked behind the gate, with their shining black exuding a feeling of grandeur. As we approached the display signs, we realised that all these cars had been used to carry France’s former prime ministers and were also local French brands. The display signs not only mentioned which car each prime minister had ridden in but also meticulously presented the stories and histories of the car manufacturers Citroën and Panhard et Levassor, giving everyone the opportunity to learn more about these local car manufacturers.
THE BEES AT HÔTEL DE MATIGNON
Upon leaving the front courtyard, we visited the PM official residence and eventually arrived at its two-hectare backyard, which is the largest private garden in Paris. General de Gaulle himself once received Winston Churchill in this garden in 1958, so we are truly fortunate to have visited such historic place. In the residence’s garden, we came across a unique honey stall. It turns out that the Prime Minister's residence decided to install several beehives in the garden to conserve the bees. This not only helps maintain the ecological balance of nature but also provides honey for the Prime Minister's residence. As they opened jars of honey, numerous bees smelled the honey smell and were naturally attracted to dance nearby. The person in charge offered some honey to us, and it resulted in a swarm of bees gathering around her hand.
HOW THE FRENCH EDUCATE THEIR CHILDREN
In addition to the honey stall, there were other stalls as well showcasing colourful glass and stone products. They set up booths on-site and we were often encouraged to play with their tools to try crafting something out. Children were even invited to pick up hammers and screwdrivers to try carving stones for themselves. They were unbelievably excited and eager to try their hands at it, just like the adults. This is actually the way French people educate children - they don't underestimate their abilities or fear that they won't be able to learn or might get hurt.
It took us some time to do a full circle around the garden, trying to learn about the craftsmanship and interact with the artisans on-site. It actually made a more profound impression than visiting the Prime Minister's residence. On this open day, they could have simply allowed visitors to explore the interior and then leave after strolling through its lush green garden. However, the French government chose to make use of the garden space, giving everyone the opportunity to get to know these French companies. It’s in these moments that we truly felt the respect the French people have for their local brands and how they proudly cherished their artisans.
P.s. Fancy a trip to the Petit Palais, where you can enjoy its remarkable architecture?