The Inn St. Gemme Beauvais(c1848) (City)

Inn St. Gemme Beauvais – Missouri’s Oldest B&B Preserves 1848 Federal Elegance and Rozier Family Legacy

At 78 North Main Street in the heart of Sainte Geneviève’s historic district stands the Inn St. Gemme Beauvais—Missouri’s oldest continuously operating bed and breakfast, a three-story Federal-style mansion built circa 1848 by Felix Rozier (son of Ferdinand Rozier, the French merchant who partnered with John James Audubon in Ste. Genevieve from 1811-1812 before Audubon devoted himself fully to ornithology and art). The inn carries the “St. Gemme Beauvais” name honoring the prominent French colonial family—Jean Baptiste St. Gemme dit Beauvais Jr. built the nearby Beauvais-Amoureux House in 1792, and the St. Gemme Beauvais lineage represents foundational French settlement connecting back to Kaskaskia and Revolutionary War service supporting George Rogers Clark’s Illinois campaign. Today’s Inn St. Gemme Beauvais combines this layered historical pedigree (Rozier commercial dynasty, St. Gemme Beauvais colonial heritage, Federal-style architectural grandeur) with modern bed and breakfast luxury—themed suites furnished in period antiques, full gourmet breakfasts featuring local farm-fresh ingredients, outdoor hot tub, and location placing guests within walking distance of every historic site, restaurant, shop, and cultural attraction in America’s oldest town west of the Mississippi River.

The Felix Rozier Legacy: Son of Audubon’s Partner, Builder of an 1848 Mansion

Felix Rozier (1822-1908) represented the second generation of the Rozier family’s Ste. Genevieve prominence, building the circa 1848 Federal-style mansion that would become Missouri’s oldest continuously operating B&B.

Ferdinand Rozier: The Father’s Story

Felix’s father Ferdinand Rozier (1777-1864) arrived in Sainte Geneviève in 1811 with his business partner John James Audubon—yes, that Audubon, the ornithologist and painter who would create The Birds of America. The two young Frenchmen had met in France, traveled together to America, and attempted various mercantile ventures in New York, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky before loading a keelboat with merchandise (dry goods, gunpowder, whiskey, provisions) and floating down the Ohio River to establish a more profitable business in Ste. Genevieve, then a thriving Mississippi River commercial hub.

The partnership lasted until 1812 when they amicably dissolved their business relationship—Rozier possessed merchant’s practical focus and discipline (keeping accounts, managing inventory, cultivating customers, building capital), while Audubon’s attention constantly wandered toward birds, sketching, hunting, and naturalist pursuits that generated no income. Rozier bought out Audubon’s share and continued the mercantile business successfully for decades, while Audubon returned east and eventually created his masterwork bird illustrations.

Ferdinand Rozier married Constance Roy and had ten children, establishing a dynasty that shaped Ste. Genevieve’s economic, political, and social development throughout the 19th century. His sons held positions as mayors, legislators, lawyers, businessmen, and mine operators—particularly through marriages connecting the Rozier family to the Vallé family (Jean-Baptiste Vallé owned Vallé Mining Company), creating integrated commercial networks controlling Ste. Genevieve’s lead mining economy.

Felix Rozier: Builder and Businessman

Felix Rozier (Ferdinand’s son, born 1822) married Louise Vallé (daughter of Jean-Baptiste Vallé), cementing the Rozier-Vallé family alliance. Felix became one of the principal owners of Vallé Mining Company and served as company president in the 1880s, overseeing lead mining operations that employed hundreds and shipped ore via Mississippi River steamboats from Little Rock Landing just north of town.

Around 1848, Felix constructed the three-story Federal-style brick mansion at 78 North Main Street—the building that would eventually become Inn St. Gemme Beauvais. The Federal style (characterized by symmetrical facades, refined proportions, decorative fanlights over doors, restrained classical ornament) represented American architectural taste from roughly 1780-1830, and Felix’s choice of this style in 1848 positioned his home as sophisticated, prosperous, and distinctly American rather than French colonial—symbolic of Ste. Genevieve’s evolution from French outpost to American commercial center.

Felix Rozier died in 1908 at age 86, having witnessed Ste. Genevieve’s transformation from frontier lead mining boomtown to established Missouri county seat, his mansion standing as testament to the Rozier family’s enduring prominence across three generations.

The St. Gemme Beauvais Name: Honoring French Colonial Lineage

The inn’s full name—Inn St. Gemme Beauvais—honors the St. Gemme family (also spelled Saint Gemme), prominent French colonists whose lineage traces to early Kaskaskia settlement across the Mississippi River in Illinois.

Jean Baptiste St. Gemme dit Beauvais Jr. (1746-1833):

Born at Kaskaskia, Jean Baptiste St. Gemme dit Beauvais (“dit” meaning “called” or “known as”—a French naming convention adding nicknames or distinguishing epithets) supported George Rogers Clark during the Revolutionary War Illinois campaign of 1778-1779, providing supplies and intelligence helping Clark capture British posts and secure the Illinois Country for Virginia and ultimately the United States.

In 1787, St. Gemme Beauvais moved his family across the Mississippi to Ste. Genevieve, and in 1792 built the Beauvais-Amoureux House—one of the rare poteaux-en-terre (posts-in-ground) French colonial structures surviving today, now part of Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park. The house overlooked Le Grand Champ (the Big Field), Sainte Geneviève’s communal agricultural fields where French settlers grew wheat, corn, and vegetables using open-field farming practices imported from medieval France.

Jean Baptiste St. Gemme dit Beauvais died in 1833 and was buried in one of five co-joined crypts in Memorial Cemetery (Missouri’s oldest cemetery), alongside other prominent French colonial families whose crypts create underground stone vaults preserving remains above Mississippi River flood levels.

Why “St. Gemme Beauvais” Names the Inn:

The inn’s name honors both the St. Gemme Beauvais family legacy (French colonial heritage, Revolutionary War service, architectural contribution) and creates historical resonance connecting Felix Rozier’s 1848 Federal mansion to Ste. Genevieve’s deeper French roots. Although the Rozier family built the building, naming it after the St. Gemme Beauvais family acknowledges that all Ste. Genevieve prosperity—including the Rozier fortune—rested on foundations laid by pioneering French families like the St. Gemme Beauvais line who established the town, defended it during wartime, and created the agricultural and commercial infrastructure supporting later American settlement.

Missouri’s Oldest Operating B&B: Continuous Hospitality Since Earliest Days

The Inn St. Gemme Beauvais claims distinction as Missouri’s oldest continuously operating bed and breakfast—a title reflecting both the building’s 1848 construction and its long history as lodging establishment.

The B&B Tradition:

While the exact date the mansion transitioned from private residence to paying guest accommodation isn’t documented in available sources, the building has functioned as inn or boarding house for many decades, possibly beginning in the late 19th or early 20th century when Ste. Genevieve’s tourism potential first emerged as preservationists recognized the town’s architectural significance.

The bed and breakfast model—private home converted to small-scale lodging with breakfast included, intimate atmosphere, personal service from owner-hosts, period furnishings and historic character—proved ideal for historic Ste. Genevieve where visitors sought immersive heritage experience rather than standardized hotel anonymity.

Preservation and Restoration:

The building’s journey through 175+ years involved multiple ownership changes and restoration efforts. In 2020, William Robison purchased the Inn St. Gemme Beauvais (then closed) and undertook restoration work preparing to resell the property. Subsequent owners have continued maintaining and upgrading the inn while preserving its Federal-style architectural integrity and historic character—balancing preservation (retaining original features, period appropriate furnishings, architectural details) with modern hospitality standards (private bathrooms, climate control, Wi-Fi, comfortable mattresses).

The “newly renovated” descriptions in recent years reflect ongoing restoration work ensuring the 1848 structure remains both historically authentic and comfortably habitable for 21st-century guests expecting modern amenities alongside period charm.

The Rooms: Themed Suites with Period Character

Inn St. Gemme Beauvais offers nine guest rooms across three floors, each with distinct character, period furnishings, private bathroom, and individual climate control:

First Floor:

The Garden Room – First-floor accessibility (no stairs required), decorated with fresh flowers, appealing to guests with mobility concerns or preferring ground-level accommodations. Garden theme creates light, airy atmosphere with floral décor and likely garden views or access.

Second Floor:

The Governor’s Chambers – Signature suite featuring sitting room, fireplace, two queen beds (accommodating families or two couples traveling together), elevated “chambers” designation suggesting most spacious and elegant accommodation. Period furnishings and fireplace create luxury 19th-century ambience.

Odile’s Room – Named presumably for Odile Pratte Vallé (wife of Felix Vallé, whose house is now Felix Vallé State Historic Site) or Odile Rozier (Robert Mecker’s wife who helped establish Mecker Research Library). Guest reviews praise the “soft faint green color,” “plush carpet giving feeling of luxury,” comfortable bed and pillows, spotlessly clean conditions, welcoming water bottles and chocolate treats. The room represents Inn St. Gemme’s attention to both aesthetic appeal (restful colors, quality finishes) and guest comfort (thoughtful amenities, immaculate housekeeping).

Additional Second Floor Rooms – Six more rooms available, each uniquely decorated in period style with antique furnishings, private bathrooms, cable television, DVD players, and Wi-Fi.

Third Floor:

Hunter’s Glen – Fox hunt-themed room featuring iron queen-size sleigh bed, masculine hunting lodge aesthetic with equestrian and sporting motifs. Third-floor location provides quiet atmosphere away from main floor activity and likely offers roofline views of historic downtown.

Room Features:

All rooms include:

• Private bathrooms (modern necessity added during renovations—original 1848 house predated indoor plumbing)
• Individual temperature control (heat and air conditioning adjusted to personal preference)
• Wi-Fi connectivity
• Cable television and DVD players
• Period antique furnishings (four-poster beds, armoires, dressers, sitting chairs, writing desks)
• Modern comfortable mattresses and quality linens
• Bottled water and chocolate treats (welcoming touches)

Some rooms feature:

• Jacuzzi tubs (luxury soaking tubs for relaxation)
• Fireplaces (working or decorative, adding romantic ambience)
• Sitting areas (separate spaces for reading, conversation, or working)

The Carriage House:

Separate from main building, the romantic Carriage House offers:

• King-size bed
• Double Jacuzzi tub
• Fireplace
• Private entrance and maximum privacy
• Ideal for honeymoons, anniversaries, romantic getaways

Shared Spaces and Amenities:

Second-Floor Kitchenette: Shared guest pantry featuring:

• K-cup coffee maker (self-serve coffee anytime)
• Microwave (heating snacks, leftovers from restaurant meals)
• Refrigerator (keeping wine cool, storing beverages, chilling picnic supplies)

This communal space allows guests to prepare light refreshments between breakfast and dinner, store wine from Route du Vin winery visits, or heat midnight snacks without leaving the inn.

Outdoor Hot Tub: Private outdoor hot tub provides relaxation after days spent touring historic sites, hiking Pickle Springs or Hawn State Park, or wine tasting at local vineyards. Evening soaks under Missouri stars create memorable moments.

Garden and Outdoor Spaces: Guests enjoy beautiful garden areas for morning coffee, evening wine, reading, or quiet conversation—outdoor seating amid flowers and greenery creating peaceful retreats from sightseeing activity.

Porch Areas: Federal-style homes typically feature porches for social interaction and outdoor living. Inn St. Gemme’s porches provide rocking chairs or seating for watching Main Street foot traffic, greeting fellow guests, or enjoying weather.

Off-Street Parking: Dedicated parking eliminates downtown parking frustrations—guests park once upon arrival and walk to everything within historic district.

The Gourmet Breakfast: Farm-Fresh Missouri Cuisine

Inn St. Gemme Beauvais breakfasts represent serious culinary commitment rather than continental breakfast minimalism—full plated meals featuring local farm-fresh ingredients, creative presentations, and restaurant-quality execution.

The Breakfast Experience:

• Individual candle-lit tables – Each party seated separately at candlelit table (romantic, elegant, allowing private conversation while dining)
• Choice of eight entrées – Guests select from menu offering variety accommodating different tastes and dietary preferences
• Restaurant-quality presentation – Plates arranged with visual appeal, garnishes, artistic flourishes creating “absolutely phenomenal” breakfast experience noted in reviews
• Local farm-fresh ingredients – Eggs from nearby farms, seasonal produce from area growers, meats from local butchers, supporting regional agriculture while ensuring freshness and flavor

Example Breakfast Dishes:

Based on guest reviews mentioning specific meals:

Stacked Pancakes: Pancakes layered with blueberry yogurt, topped with whipped cream, garnished with variety of fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries) and thin bacon strips—described as “Yummy and oh so pretty!”

This single dish demonstrates Inn St. Gemme’s breakfast philosophy:

• Creative composition (layering rather than stacking plain pancakes)
• Premium ingredients (fresh berries, yogurt, quality bacon)
• Visual appeal (garnished presentation photograph-worthy)
• Flavor balance (sweet pancakes, tart yogurt, fresh fruit, savory bacon)

Likely Additional Options:

Given the “choice of eight entrées” description, the menu likely includes:

• Savory egg dishes (omelets, frittatas, quiches with vegetables, cheese, meats)
• French toast variations (stuffed, topped with fruit compotes, caramelized)
• Breakfast meat options (bacon, sausage, ham, local specialties)
• Regional specialties (biscuits and gravy, breakfast casseroles)
• Healthy options (granola, yogurt parfaits, fresh fruit plates)
• Vegetarian selections

The Inn St. Gemme Difference:

Many B&Bs serve simple continental breakfasts (pastries, cereal, fruit) or basic cooked breakfasts (scrambled eggs, toast, bacon). Inn St. Gemme elevates breakfast to event status—individually plated restaurant-quality meals that guests remember and photograph, served in elegant candlelit setting creating special morning experience worthy of the inn’s historic grandeur and premium rates.

The Location: Walking to Everything Historic Downtown Offers

Inn St. Gemme Beauvais’s 78 North Main Street location places guests in absolute center of Sainte Geneviève’s historic district, with every major attraction, restaurant, shop, and cultural site within easy walking distance.

Historic Sites (All Walking Distance):

• Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park (blocks away) – New National Park Service visitor center, Beauvais-Amoureux House, future expanded park facilities
• Felix Vallé House State Historic Site (5-minute walk) – American Federal mansion, Amoureux House, Moreau-Lind House, restored merchant store
• Bolduc House/Centre for French Colonial Life (7-minute walk) – 1770s vertical-log French colonial house, museum, gardens
• Ste. Genevieve Museum (6-minute walk) – Local history collections, Salt Works artifacts, Native American relics
• Memorial Cemetery (8-minute walk) – Missouri’s oldest cemetery, French colonial crypts, historic graves
• Historic Churches – Ste. Genevieve Catholic Church (1876 building on 1793 foundation), other historic congregations

Restaurants (All Walking Distance):

• Merchant Street dining (5-10 minute walk) – Anvil Saloon, Old Brick House, Sirros, other downtown restaurants
• Market Street options – Various cafes and eateries
• North Main establishments – Stella & Me Cafe, Oliver’s Restaurant, Birdie’s Coffee + Bakery (slightly farther but still walkable)

Shopping (All Walking Distance):

• Merchant Street shops (5-10 minute walk) – ASL Pewter, Zielinski & Friends, Ralston Fine Jewelry, various antique shops
• Market Street retail – Sweet Things Sweet Shop, Lovegoods Candy + Toys, other specialty shops
• North Main galleries – Music Art Love, EKlekTix, Rust Artisan Shop (Little Bohemia Arts District)

The Walking Advantage:

Staying at Inn St. Gemme eliminates transportation logistics—park car upon arrival, walk everywhere during visit, return to inn for afternoon rest or evening relaxation, walk to dinner restaurants. No driving, no parking frustrations, no worrying about drinking wine at dinner and driving back to distant hotel. The inn functions as home base for leisurely downtown exploration at pedestrian pace, exactly how Ste. Genevieve should be experienced.

The Guest Experience: What Reviews Reveal

Inn St. Gemme Beauvais maintains strong reputation (5 of 5 stars on Tripadvisor, consistently positive reviews) with guests praising specific aspects:

The Building:

• “The Inn is stunning”
• “Beautiful building”
• “Historically beautiful”
• “Impeccable,” “well maintained”

The Rooms:

• “Very comfortable” beds
• “Super clean”
• “Stylishly decorated with period finishes & furniture”
• “Spacious and private”
• “Spotlessly clean”

The Breakfast:

• “Absolutely phenomenal”
• “Amazing breakfast”
• “Tasted delicious”
• “Presented like a high class restaurant”
• “Yummy and oh so pretty”

The Service:

• “Staff was pleasant and very accommodating”
• Hosts Sarah and Charles described as “welcoming, gracious, and accommodating”
• “The staff are there for you if you need them, otherwise you have privacy”

The Location:

• “Conveniently located to restaurants & historic sites”
• “We loved how close this B&B is to everything”
• “Great location for walking to the historic town sites”
• “The Inn location and historic district all felt safe for visitors”

The Overall Experience:

• “Been home for several hours and still feel relaxed from our stay”
• “We will definitely stay here again”
• “If you’re coming to St. Genevieve, The Inn St. Gemme Beauvais is where you need to stay”
• “The Inn far exceeded our expectations”

Practical Information

Name: Inn St. Gemme Beauvais

Address: 78 North Main Street, Sainte Geneviève, MO 63670

Phone: (573) 880-7505

Website: theinnstgemme.com (also theinnstgemme.co)

Email: [Available through website contact form]

Built: Circa 1848

Builder: Felix Rozier

Architectural Style: Federal

Designation: Missouri’s oldest continuously operating bed and breakfast

Rooms: Nine guest rooms plus Carriage House

Room Types:

• King suites with Jacuzzi tubs
• Queen rooms (some with two queens)
• Themed rooms (Garden Room, Governor’s Chambers, Hunter’s Glen, Odile’s Room, others)
• Carriage House (king bed, double Jacuzzi, fireplace)

Amenities:

• Full gourmet breakfast (choice of eight entrées, local farm-fresh ingredients)
• Private bathrooms in all rooms
• Individual temperature control
• Wi-Fi throughout
• Cable television and DVD players
• Outdoor hot tub
• Second-floor shared kitchenette (coffee, microwave, refrigerator)
• Beautiful gardens and porch areas
• Off-street parking
• Walking distance to all downtown attractions

Pet Policy: Dog-friendly (mentioned in Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice designation)

Booking: Through website, phone, or major booking platforms

Who Should Stay:

History Enthusiasts – Staying in 1848 Federal mansion built by Felix Rozier (son of Audubon’s partner) in Missouri’s oldest operating B&B creates immersive heritage experience

Romantic Couples – Carriage House, candlelit breakfasts, elegant period rooms, outdoor hot tub, walkable downtown dining

Anniversary/Honeymoon Travelers – Special occasion accommodations with luxury amenities and romantic atmosphere

Girlfriends’ Weekends – Governor’s Chambers (two queen beds), other spacious rooms accommodate friend groups exploring wineries, shops, galleries

Mature Travelers – Sophisticated accommodations, quiet atmosphere, gourmet breakfasts, convenient walking access without excessive physical demands

Architecture Buffs – Federal-style mansion with period furnishings, opportunity to sleep in 1848 building and tour other architectural styles (French colonial, American Federal, Victorian)

Foodies – Gourmet breakfasts featuring local ingredients, walkable to downtown restaurants, proximity to Route du Vin wineries

Dog Owners – Pet-friendly policies allow bringing four-legged family members

Where Audubon’s Partner’s Son Built Missouri’s Premier Historic Inn

Inn St. Gemme Beauvais represents convergence of Sainte Geneviève’s layered history—French colonial St. Gemme Beauvais family heritage, Rozier family commercial dynasty (descended from Ferdinand Rozier who partnered with John James Audubon), Federal-style American architectural elegance from 1848, and modern bed and breakfast tradition serving guests in Missouri’s oldest continuously operating inn.

Book a themed suite. Wake to candlelit gourmet breakfast featuring local farm-fresh ingredients. Walk three blocks to Bolduc House touring French colonial vertical-log construction. Stop at ASL Pewter watching traditional pewter spinning. Lunch at Anvil Saloon. Afternoon at Felix Vallé State Historic Site (the other Felix—Felix Vallé rather than Felix Rozier, but families intermarried creating single interconnected elite). Return to inn for hot tub soak. Evening wine on garden porch. Dinner at Old Brick House. Sleep in 1848 Federal mansion where Rozier family legacy, St. Gemme Beauvais colonial honor, and Missouri’s oldest B&B tradition converge.

At 78 North Main—where history stays open for guests.