Hôtel Scipion

The Hôtel Scipion is a private mansion in the 5th arrondissement featuring red brick walls accented with stone frames surrounding a large paved courtyard planted with spruce trees. The structure displays Renaissance design with decorative details visible on the facades, combining Italian architectural influences with French building traditions.

Maurice Bullioud constructed the original residence between 1540 and 1565, and Scipion Sardini, a Medici banker, later acquired and enhanced the property. Following the French Revolution, the building served as a central bakery for Paris hospitals until 1974.

The Renaissance gallery displays six terracotta medallions carved in relief, showing architectural elements that shaped Parisian design traditions. These artworks remain visible on the facade and reflect the Italian artistic influence that marked the period.

The location is situated in a quiet part of the 5th arrondissement near the Botanical Garden and several cultural institutions. The area is well served by public transportation and in some cases the exterior can be viewed from the street.

The building retained some original 19th-century brick ovens after its time as a hospital bakery, and these remain visible today. These working installations offer a glimpse into the site's industrial past and everyday history beyond its architectural splendor.