Hôtel de Charost, British ambassador residence in 8th arrondissement, Paris, France
The Hôtel de Charost is a four-story mansion on Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré featuring Empire-style furnishings and an English garden behind the building. The facade and interior rooms display the classical architecture characteristic of the early 18th century.
Architect Antoine Mazin built this mansion in 1722 for Armand de Bethune, the second Duke of Charost, under Louis XV's reign. The Duke of Wellington purchased it for the British government in 1814, establishing it as the first post-restoration British embassy residence in Paris.
The residence carries the name of an 18th century duke and reflects the refinement of French aristocratic life. Visitors can observe the elegant rooms that show how a wealthy family lived during that era.
Access to the interior typically requires an official invitation, but during the annual Heritage Days event, the building opens for public visits. Planning your visit around these open-door days is the best way to see inside without special permission.
Pauline Leclerc, Napoleon's sister, owned the property in the early 19th century and left behind her collection of Empire-style furnishings. These pieces remain part of the interior decoration that visitors can admire during Heritage Days.
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