Did you know that? The Castel Béranger is one of the emblematic buildings of Art Nouveau in Paris

Built between 1895 and 1898, the Castel Béranger at 14 rue de la Fontaine in the 16th arrondissement is considered one of the earliest examples of Art Nouveau architecture in France. Hector Guimard designed the entire building, from exterior architecture to interior decoration. The result is a spectacular building, characterized by organic forms and floral motifs.

Castel Béranger features wrought-iron balconies, bean-shaped bay windows and colorful mosaics. The façade is adorned with plant motifs and sculptures, reflecting Guimard's inspiration in nature and organic forms. The building's interiors are equally sumptuous, with spiral staircases, colorful stained-glass windows and mosaic walls.

The Castel Béranger was commissioned by businessman Charles-Louis-Armand Béranger, who wanted a luxurious building to house his family and tenants. Guimard was able to meet this demand by designing a functional and aesthetic building, which was considered one of the most beautiful buildings in Paris at the time.

Today, Castel Béranger is listed as a historic monument and is open to the public on special occasions. It's a must-see forArt Nouveau and architecture enthusiasts, who can admire the building's refined details and discover Guimard's creative world. The Castel Béranger bears witness to the importance of Art Nouveau in the history of architecture and art, and to the importance of beauty in our built environment.

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In addition to its beauty and importance in architectural history, Castel Béranger also has a fascinating and original history. Did you know that Hector Guimard had originally planned to design the building for his own family? Indeed, Guimard was looking for a home for himself and his wife, and had begun work on the Castel Béranger plans as a personal project. However, when Charles-Louis-Armand Béranger expressed interest in the project, Guimard decided to sell it to Béranger and design another building for his own family (theHôtel Guimard at 122 rue Mozart).

Moreover, Castel Béranger was originally considered too eccentric and impractical. Potential tenants were put off by its organic shapes and floral motifs, which were considered too extravagant, and the apartments were considered too small and impractical. Over time, however, Castel Béranger became a symbol of Art Nouveau and the artistic avant-garde, attracting prestigious tenants such as the composer Debussy and the poet Verlaine.

Finally, Castel Béranger has also had its moment of glory on the silver screen. The building was used as a set in Jean-Pierre Jeunet's film"Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amélie Poulain", in which Amélie's apartment was located in the Montmartre district. Although the Castel Béranger is not located in this district, it was chosen for its distinctive Art Nouveau aesthetic, which perfectly matched the film's visual universe.

The Castel Béranger is much more than just a building. It's a symbol of artistic and architectural innovation, a work of art in its own right, and an important piece of Paris history.