9 Superb Hôtels Particuliers in Paris Hiding in Plain Sight
Hôtels Particuliers are these grand private mansions built for French nobility and wealthy families, mostly during the 17th and 18th centuries. They were luxurious residences, often with private courtyards, richly decorated facades, and manicured gardens. Located in the heart of Paris, many now serve as museums, embassies, or cultural institutions.
Some of Paris’s most incredible mansions are hiding in plain sight. Let’s take a look behind the gates.
1. Hôtel de Sully
Located at 62 rue Saint-Antoine in the Marais, Hôtel de Sully is one of the best-preserved private mansions in Paris. Built in the early 1600s, it was designed in the Louis XIII style, with intricate stone carvings and a grand facade.
The inner courtyard feels tucked away from the city, and garden opens directly onto Place des Vosges. Once home to the Duke of Sully, it now houses the Centre des Monuments Nationaux, which oversees France’s historic sites.
2. Hôtel Lambert
Hôtel Lambert sits on Île Saint-Louis. Built in the 1640s by Louis Le Vau, the architect behind parts of Versailles, it was commissioned by the wealthy Lambert de Thorigny family.
Since then this grand mansion has been the home of some of the most notable and chicest figures in history, from the Marquise du Châtelet and her then lover Voltaire, Baron de Redé and Baron Guy and Marie-Hélène de Rothschild.
Inside, artists like Charles Le Brun and Eustache Le Sueur created stunning frescoes. Over the years, it hosted figures like Chopin and Voltaire. Though privately owned, it remains one of the most famous mansions on the island.
3. Hôtel Carnavalet
Located at 23 rue de Sévigné, Hôtel Carnavalet dates back to 1548, which makes it one of Paris’ oldest mansions.
Originally built for Jacques des Ligneris, a prominent magistrate, it was later remodeled by François Mansart, a celebrated architect known for pioneering classical architecture in France.
Now home to the Carnavalet Museum, it showcases the history of Paris through a vast collection of artifacts from the French Revolution to modern times.
4. Hôtel de Lauzun
Hôtel de Lauzun sits at 17 quai d’Anjou in the 4th arrondissement, on Île Saint-Louis. Built in the mid-17th century, it stands out for its richly decorated interiors, filled with gilded ceilings, painted panels, and elaborate carvings.
It was home to the eccentric Duke de Lauzun and later hosted artists and writers like Baudelaire and Théophile Gautier, who gathered here for opium-fueled literary salons.
Today, the City of Paris owns it, and while not always open to the public, it occasionally offers guided visits.
5. Hôtel Biron
Hôtel Biron sits at 77 rue de Varenne in the 7th arrondissement. Built in the early 18th century, this grand mansion once housed aristocrats, a religious school, and even artists renting rooms – including Auguste Rodin. The sculptor later used it as his studio and, before his death, arranged for it to become a museum.
Today, it’s home to the Rodin Museum, surrounded by a peaceful garden filled with his most famous works, including The Thinker and The Gates of Hell.
6. Hôtel de Soubise
Hôtel de Soubise stands at 60 rue des Francs-Bourgeois in the 3rd arrondissement in the Marais. Built in the early 18th century for the Prince of Soubise, it replaced a 14th-century mansion owned by the powerful Clisson and Guise families.
Its interiors are among the most extravagant in Paris, with gilded moldings, painted ceilings, and rococo-style salons designed by Germain Boffrand. The splendid salons with detailed frescoes and artistic craftsmanship now serve as part of France’s National Archives. Visitors can explore these rooms to discover documents and artifacts of French history.
7. Hôtel de la Païva
Located at 25 avenue des Champs-Élysées in the 8th, Hôtel de la Païva was completed in 1865 for Esther Lachmann, better known as La Païva – a courtesan renowned for her connections to Parisian high society.
Pierre Manguin, an accomplished architect of the Second Empire, designed this mansion to showcase sheer luxury. The building features exquisite marble staircases, mosaics, and stained glass.
Once a grand residence, it’s now an exclusive private club that continues to reflect the extravagant tastes of 19th-century Parisian elites.
8. Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild
Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild sits rue Berryer in the 8th arrondissement, near Parc Monceau. Built in the 19th century for Adèle de Rothschild, it became a hub for Parisian high society, hosting opulent receptions and gatherings of artists and intellectuals.
Known for her philanthropic and cultural contributions, she played a significant role in supporting the arts and preserving her family’s legacy. The Neo-Louis XVI style reflects the opulence of the Rothschild family.
After her death, she donated the mansion to the state for cultural purposes. Today, it serves as an event venue and art center, with its elegant gardens and grand interiors occasionally open for exhibitions and private events.
9. Hôtel Matignon
At 57 rue de Varenne in the 7th arrondissement, Hôtel Matignon is one of the most important residences in France. It was built in 1725 for the Prince of Tingry by architect Jean Courtonne, a celebrated 18th-century French architect known for designing grand residences for the Parisian elite.
Built in the early 18th century for the Prince of Tingry, it later became home to various aristocrats before being acquired by the French government. Since 1935, it has served as the official residence of the French Prime Minister.
The interiors, which feature impressive woodwork and tapestries, are closed to the public, but the vast gardens occasionally open for visits. The estate spans over three hectares, making it the largest private garden in Paris, even bigger than the Élysée’s.