Hôtel Bony

Hôtel Bony is a historic private mansion at 32 rue de Trévise in Paris's 9th arrondissement, ranked among the finest examples of Restoration-era architecture in the neighborhood.

Who built it, and when?

René Bony, a public works contractor and property speculator active in the district, commissioned the mansion in 1826. He hired architect Jules de Joly, a leading name in Parisian neoclassical residential design, and construction wrapped up around 1830. Rather than blending into a row of townhouses, the building was conceived as a freestanding pavilion in the Palladian tradition. Its symmetrical facade stacks Doric columns on the ground floor beneath Ionic columns above, while Corinthian columns support a garden-side portico topped with an ornamental frieze.

What's inside worth knowing about?

Even though the interior isn't open for casual visits, its decoration is well documented. The vestibule retains Ionic columns and trompe-l'oeil painted marbling. The real highlight is the ground-floor grand salon, where a Pompeian-style scheme survives largely intact — cherubs, pegasi, and neoclassical motifs that reflect the early-19th-century French fascination with antiquity.

How has the building changed over time?

In 1853 a new owner, Don José de Uribarren, added two rental buildings fronting rue de Trévise, altering the footprint of the original property. Marshal Édouard Mortier is also linked to the mansion's history. The building's use shifted again in the 20th and 21st centuries: architecture firm Architecture Studio converted it into office space in 1994, and the Calq agency carried out a further renovation in 2023, bringing the interiors up to premium commercial-office standards. Since early 2024, the building has been occupied by the French company Morning.

Is Hôtel Bony a protected landmark?

Yes. The facades, the staircase decorated in an Empire-period style, and the grand salon were classified as a monument historique on 8 April 1976. A further partial listing followed on 15 July 1986, and the entrance gate carries its own separate protection. The property itself has appeared in the heritage inventory since 6 August 1975.

Can visitors go inside?

Not really — Hôtel Bony now functions as private office space rather than a museum or hotel, so there's no regular public access to the interior. Visitors can still appreciate the composition from the street: the proportions, the column orders, and the gate are all visible from rue de Trévise. It pairs well with a short walk through the 9th arrondissement, which has kept a good number of comparable Restoration and July Monarchy-era mansions.

How do you get there?

The nearest metro stop is Cadet on line 7, just a few minutes' walk away. The surrounding stretch of rue de Trévise is one of the quieter corners of the 9th arrondissement, dotted with cafés and small shops, making it an easy add-on when exploring the Grands Boulevards or the Opéra district.

FAQ

Can you tour the inside of Hôtel Bony? No — it's a private office building today, so the interior isn't open to the public. Only the facade and gate can be viewed from the street.

Who designed Hôtel Bony? Architect Jules de Joly designed it in 1826 for René Bony, a public works contractor and property speculator.

Is the building officially protected? Yes, the facades, staircase, and grand salon have been listed as a monument historique since 1976, with additional protections added in 1986.

Where exactly is Hôtel Bony located? It sits at 32 rue de Trévise in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, a short walk from the Cadet metro station on line 7.