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