Over the past few years, we’ve seen several historic Paris mansion sales taking place.
Known as ‘hôtel particuliers,’ these grand houses rarely appear on the market. But for foreign buyers especially, they present an unparalleled chance to establish a foothold in one of the world’s most prestigious cities.
We take an exclusive look at these magnificent mansions and the prices they fetched, just for readers of the 56Paris blog.
What is a hôtel particulier?
A hôtel particulier is a grand private residence built between the 16th and 19th centuries for wealthy families in France.
Unlike apartment buildings, a hôtel particulier is a single-family dwelling that is usually freestanding – it doesn’t mean it’s a hotel open to paying guests.
The grandest ones are characterized by a large entrance gate, a cour d'honneur (central courtyard), a garden at the rear and grand reception areas for entertaining and socializing.
The most sought-after of these houses are found in the historic arrondissements (districts) of Paris. In particular the Marais in the 3rd and 4th disticts, and the Faubourg Saint-Germain in the 7th.
More recent mansions can also be found in the areas surrounding the Parc Monceau in the 8th. And especially the 16th, which boasts the highest concentration of these prestigious properties in the city.
But they’re a pretty rare find on the Parisian property market. However, the past year has seen a number of them change hands.
These are historic Paris mansion sales in more ways than one – the prices are also breaking records!
A Belle Epoque gem on avenue Foch – €69 million
It’s one of the most significant sales of last year – a vast 1,200m² Belle Epoque mansion on a private street on the Avenue Foch, close to the Arc de Triomphe.
This architectural gem resembles a country-style Norman villa, with a red-brick façade, and towers and balconies sculpted in wood.
Set across three floors, the renovated mansion now boasts a movie theater, huge wine cellar, a 52 ft. indoor swimming pool, hammam and even a nightclub!
This truly magnificent home sold for a staggering €69 million. That makes it one of the most expensive private homes in all of Paris.
Reports suggest the buyer is a wealthy Asian client, who purchased the mansion through a local developer.
The Blumenthal-Montmorency Hotel – €46.5 million
Avenue Foch is the location for another notable property transaction.
The Blumenthal-Montmorency hôtel particulier is an early 20th-century residence, designed by the architect behind the famed Hotel Meurice, a palace hotel. It’s a fine example of the Louis XVI style, with Corinthian columns and a large terrace guarded by two stone sphinxes.
It languished on the market for 15 years, before finding a buyer last December.
Reports suggest the Emirati billionaire Mahdi al-Tajir sold the 33,000 sq. ft. property complete with 20 rooms, fireplaces and woodwork reminiscent of a Viennese Baroque palace.
The price? A cool €46.5 million.
The new owner, a French management company, plans to renovate the mansion for resale.
An unusual Invalides mansion – €23.5 million
A more unconventional hôtel particulier changed hands last May.
Located near the Rodin Museum in the 7th arrondissement, this 19th-century Neo-Renaissance residence offers 7,500 sq. ft. of living space, a charming garden and an indoor swimming pool.
The property also has a basement games room, ground-floor gym and upper-floor suite, along with a separate three-story building with a recording studio.
The former owner is British billionaire James Dyson, inventor of the Dyson vacuum cleaner. He recently sold it for €23.5 million to one of the sons of the former Prime Minister of Qatar.
The former French president’s home – €23 million
Set on Rue Bénouville in the 16th, another Belle Epoque residence is being sold.
An impressive building made of cut stone, it covers 12,900 sq. ft. with a 5,400 sq. ft. garden at the back.
Former president Valéry Giscard d'Estaing moved there in 1956 as a tenant, before later purchasing the building. He welcomed many heads of state there.
His widow sold it in September 2022, for €19 million, to entrepreneur Charles Beigbeder.
And now, not even two years later, reports suggest he’s already in the process of reselling it for €23 million to the Armenian state. They plan to use it as their new embassy in Paris.
The Phoenix of the Champ-de-Mars – €19 million
Another mansion in the 7th. This one on the edge of the Champ-de-Mars.
This Regency-style house dates from 1911, built for the Count of Talleyrand-Périgord.
With a floor plan over 9,700 sq. ft., including a basement indoor pool and sauna, plus a 1,600 sq. ft. private garden, reports suggest the property had fallen into disrepair under the ownership of the Besnier family, who run the Lactalis group, the world’s largest dairy company.
However, it sold over a year ago to an unnamed French entrepreneur for €19 million.
The reports also say it will likely be renovated and put back onto the market, aimed at international buyers.
Historic Paris mansion sales – a new thriving market
Throughout history, French families have prized these historic properties.
But as we can see, international buyers, particularly from the Middle East, Asia and the United States, are increasingly drawn to their elegance, security, and the unparalleled lifestyle they offer.
These buyers are increasingly seeking properties that have already been renovated and are move-in ready, with high-end amenities like gyms, swimming pools and theaters.
Demand for these special properties is up, with prices reported to be up 50% over three years ago for those exceeding 10,000 sq. ft.
While the properties we’ve highlighted above are the most expensive examples, prices for some hôtel particuliers can range from €6-8 million for smaller properties.
While on the other hand, we’ve even seen a property sell for €200 million! That was the renowned Hôtel Lambert, which we reported at the time.
For foreign buyers looking for a one-of-a-kind Parisian property steeped in history and character, a historic hôtel particulier represents an opportunity to acquire a truly special piece of Parisian real estate.
Buying your own part of Paris
It’s not all about grand mansions. Here at 56Paris, we help foreign buyers make their dreams a reality, purchasing wonderful apartments in the City of Light.
Why not get in touch with our English-speaking team of property experts?
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