France prospecting in Dubai to sell an army building near the Palace of Versailles

"Business France is responsible for certain exceptional State real estate assets to look for potential buyers" and was "appointed two weeks ago" about this former royal convent built by the architect Jules-Hardouin Mansart , architect of the Palace of Versailles, told AFP Marie-Cécile Tardieu, Deputy Managing Director of Business France, confirming information from Ouest France.

The promotion began in Dubai where Ms. Tardieu presented the monument to Emirati representatives on the occasion of her ongoing trip to the 2020 World Expo.

Versailles will host horse riding events during the 2024 Olympic Games and "we thought it was good to seize the opportunity to present this former barracks" in Dubai, while the municipality of Versailles "would like to host a hotel project there. ", explains the Deputy Managing Director.

"The idea is not necessarily to sell this property to foreigners, but it is to open the field of possibilities" to find a buyer for this exceptional property that the State wants to sell, she adds.

"The sale is open to everyone, if there is an investor interested in this exceptional building", abounds François de Mazières, mayor of Versailles.

"This building is now in very poor condition, it is consistent that it should be upgraded to make it a place of tourism, all the more in view of its geographical position, near the Palace of Versailles", a- he added to AFP.

Business France, which also does not rule out that the State ultimately chooses an activity project other than tourism, has identified around sixty potential investors around the world, particularly in China, Italy, the United Kingdom or in Singapore, and its offices are responsible for contacting them to promote the old convent.

The building of nearly 5.000 m³ currently houses the Technical Service for Buildings, Fortifications and Works, a design office specializing in infrastructure works which is part of the bodies of the Ministry of the Armed Forces.