HORTENSE - PAULA BAR-GIESE SOPRANO & PIANIST
QUEEN HORTENSE - LA REINE D’HOLLANDE - PALACE ‘T LOO ‘KUNSTZAAL’
Arenenberg - Castle Hortense de Beauharnais
In 1817, Johann Baptist von Streng sold the family property to Hortense de Beauharnais who was dwelling in Constance at that time.
Hortense had the late gothic palace rebuilt in the empire style by the Constance master builder John Baptist Wehrle from 1817-1820. She completely redesigned Arenenberg in the French fashion. Even the interior was decorated with wallpapers, furniture, statues, and paintings commemorating Napoleon I.
After the death of Hortense, her son Louis Napoleon sold the palace in 1837.
In 1855, he repurchased the estate as Emperor Napoleon III