Villa Paris 7th (75)

Near to the river Seine, between Palais-Bourbon and Les-Invalides, a French Directory-style house, resembling a folly.
A carriage passageway, behind heavy gates, provides symmetrical access to the entrances on the left and right-hand sides of the building overlooking the street. A votive alcove resembling an altar stands at the end of a paved courtyard. It has pilasters with corbelling, is topped with a tympanum featuring dentil cornices and houses not a saint but a statue of Erato, muse of lyrical poetry, holding a zither. Separated by a shady corner, the surprise: an elegantly proportioned house resembling a late 18th century folly. Spanning three levels, it comprises a ground, a first and a top floor under the rafters with roof dormers, each featuring a tympanum. The projection of the facade on the right-hand side and its Mansard-style roofs are reminiscent of architecture from the Restoration period. This style is heavily marked by windows fitted with slatted shutters, bull’s eye windows, French Directory-style railings and a porch sheltered by a festooned canopy. Inside, the luxury of the harmoniously selected and strikingly implemented materials as well as the spacious proportions of the rooms fully enhance every floor. The seven openings on every level bathe the living space in a pleasant, muted light. On the courtyard level, separated by the entrance hall, is a first suite, with its shower room and separate toilet, intended for passing guests and, on the other hand, a dining room, adjoining a fully fitted kitchen. A quarter-turning stairway provides access to the two upper levels. On the first floor are a lounge and a study, also used as a library. The top floor houses the main suite, a bedroom and an elegant bathroom with irreproachable fixtures and fittings. Engraved glass, stone, panelling, cornices with staff decoration and the wrought woodwork of the corner cabinets used for storage purposes bear witness to this house’s elaborate and harmonious decoration. The safety provided by the proximity of the permanently guarded ministerial buildings, the public transportation and the shopping streets just a stone’s throw away increase the value of this property.