Discover historic apartments of Paris

Each year in autumn, the City of Paris organizes the so called "journées du patrimoine", where official institutions like ministries, town halls and public administrations, many of which located in luxurious historic town palaces, open their doors to the public.

In contrast to many people’s opinion, the most precious real estate in Paris are not top floor apartments with impressing views on the Eiffel tower or extravagant lofts with prestigious finishings. Most of the buildings in the center were built during the 17th, 18th and 19th century at a time when no elevators existed. Therefore, as top floor apartments were regarded as unattractive, they are still today often small and have low ceilings.

During the 17th and 18th century, the most elegant real estate, however, was created by nobles. They hired the most renowned architects and craftsmen and built superb town palaces with exquisite interior, wonderful gardens and elegant courtyards.

Disenchanted with life in the court of Versailles at the end of the seventeenth century, aristocrats became more and more attracted to life in Paris and royal architects offered their services to rich families in the noble "faubourg" ("suburb"), which was easily accessible thanks to the "Pont Royal" that linked this side of the river to the "Tuileries" and "Louvre". The land in this district was as yet undeveloped, with its gardens and meadows.

Typically, you enter a "hôtel particulier" through a large main courtyard, evocatively called the "cour d'honneur", flanked by two wings. You will face a classical style façade with its Corinthian, Ionic or Doric pilasters and central balcony.

Facing the regal rooms of the main buildings, often decorated with chandeliers and gilt bronze statuettes and clocks, is a sizeable garden enclosed by other mansions in the area.

If you’d like to have a look at our this year’s tour, please click here (scroll down to post of 16/09/2007)
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