The “Gallery of Hercules.” Qatar’s Prince Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani has purchased Paris’s Hôtel Lambert, in a corner of the Île Saint-Louis overlooking the Seine with plans to restore the 17th-century palace to it former grandeur.

Some preservationists decry Prince Abdullah bin Khalifa al-Thani approach to restoring the 43,000-square-foot building and its finest features, while modernizing it for his family and his extensive collection of 17th- and 18th-century French art. The prince plans to spend about $60 million to renovate the place, including its unusual suspended garden, built over two service floors.

It seems that the restoration attempts to restore the Hôtel Lambert to its original grand dame status, while adding modern technology where it makes sense — the heating and cooling systems, for example. Yes, the technology is green.

With all the cries of “foul” going on, it seems that the real problem lies beneath the surface of architecture. After all a prince from Qatar now owns the Hôtel Lambert. via NYTimes: A Palace Overhaul, Treading on French Heritage.

Also, Bloomberg: Qatari Prince’s EU100 Million Paris Mansion Plan Blocked

Modern life presents dwellers of Britain’s “stately homes” with a variety of new options for paying the bills. From garden parties to weddings and funerals (I must check out this option), clever, entrepreneurial minds willing to embrace a few strangers running around embrace new and sometimes wildly exciting guest options.

The best strategies involve tapping into the young, marcissists, art lovers and even sex addicts. Turn the stately family birthright into a lucrative porn shoot location. Just be careful that enchanted guests don’t wander down the wrong staircase.

Curious? The London Times takes us on a tour of fresh thinking about renting out the grandest of mansions.

Susan Boyle for US Harper’s Bazaar “Unsung Hero”Harper’s Bazaar photographed Susan Boyle at Cliveden this summer.

Readers daydreamed in more ways than one. If Susan Boyle can indulge in the good life at Cliveden, what not us?

I think Susan’s stay at Cliveden was on the “up and up”, being surrounded by a pack of fashionistas, stylist, celeb photographer — hardly the kind of people we expect to find at an orgy.

The only lying around Susan might have done was getting a good night’s rest and perhaps enjoying her first hot stone massage.

Now that’s living the good life.