Are you passionate about history and architecture? You’re in the right city, because Paris is brimming with sublime monuments that reflect numerous artistic eras. Beyond its palaces, cathedrals and churches or the Eiffel Tower, the French capital is home to a large number of hotels particuliers, nearly 400 still standing today, scattered across all its arrondissements. While a good portion cluster in the Marais, a particularly historic district, they’re easy to find in the city’s more affluent neighborhoods.
Hôtels particuliers are luxurious city residences, with exceptional interiors and charming green spaces, often tucked away. The term hôtel appears in the Middle Ages to designate the residence of great lords and also applies to the homes of financiers and wealthy merchants. The archetype of a hôtel particulier from the 17th century is presented as a main building set at the rear of a courtyard, with stables and staff housing along the sides. Typically, the rear façade faces a garden.
Some are still inhabited by wealthy owners and fetch several million euros, but the majority have been transformed into exceptional cultural venues, such as museums, libraries or even foreign embassies. It is also common to see restaurants or luxury hotels based in these residences, with magnificent courtyards hidden from passersby.
Star Hotel Champs-Élysées****: A stylish retreat just steps from the Arc de Triomphe
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Can you visit the Hôtel de Salm, the Palace of the Legion of Honor, in Paris?
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How to visit the Hôtel de Béhague, the sumptuous palace housing the Romanian embassy?
Aristocratic residence, the setting for diplomatic receptions and the seat of the Romanian embassy for nearly a century, the Hôtel de Béhague houses sumptuous salons, a spectacular staircase inspired by Versailles, and even a genuine medieval cloister. Discover the secrets of this little-known gem… and the rare opportunities to visit it. [Read more]
Can you gain access to the Hôtel de Charost, the residence of the British ambassador in Paris?
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How can you visit the Hôtel de Roquelaure, the townhouse of the Ministry of Ecological Transition?
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The Hôtel de Soubise, a remarkable setting for the French National Archives
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Discover the free Legion of Honor Museum: a journey through the history of honors
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We take you on a (re)discovery of the Musée Guimet, dedicated to Asian arts. On the program: an exotic tour of historical treasures in splendid surroundings. [Read more]
Musée Picasso in Paris: prices, access, opening hours... All you need to know about the Paris museum
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The Musée Gustave Moreau, the painter's timeless home and studio in Paris
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An unusual library dedicated to the arts décos and métiers d'art hidden in a Paris mansion
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The little-known Musée Jacquemart-André and its fine art collection in Paris
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The Pharmacy Museum: Paris’s Most Hidden and Unexpected Free Exhibit Space
Nestled within a historic townhouse just steps from Parc Monceau, one of Paris's most discreet museums awaits— the Museum of Pharmacy. Visitors can explore the fascinating history of the site for free, now home to the National Order of Pharmacists and an eclectic collection of curiosities. [Read more]
The Maison de l'Amérique latine, a cultural center in the heart of a beautiful Parisian townhouse
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Dover Street Market: the trendy Marais concept store for fashion, cafés, exhibitions & concerts
Dover Street Market, Rei Kawakubo's concept store, arrives in the Marais district, transforming the former 3537 into an 1100 m2 temple of fashion and art. On the program? Shopping with brands such as Comme des Garçons, Prada and Jacquemus, a gourmet café, exhibitions and cultural and musical events! [Read more]
Italian Cultural Institute: program, exhibitions, events... All about Hôtel de Galliffet
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Musée Carnavalet, Paris's oldest museum dedicated to the capital's history
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The Musée de la Vie Romantique in Paris: a lush, artistic haven brimming with charm
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The Nissim de Camondo Museum in Paris in pictures
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The Bibliothèque Historique de la Ville de Paris (Paris Historical Library), to learn more about Paris
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