Hôtel Landolfo-Carcano

Hôtel Landolfo-Carcano is a grand 19th-century mansion standing right on Place Charles de Gaulle, in the heart of the 8th arrondissement of Paris.

Where is it and where does the name come from?

The mansion sits at 1, rue de Tilsitt, just steps from the Arc de Triomphe. It was built in 1867 to a design by architect Charles Rohault de Fleury. The building belongs to a set of twelve so-called "hôtels des Maréchaux," grand residences laid out in 1853 by architect Jacques Hittorff on the orders of Emperor Napoleon III, as part of the sweeping redevelopment of the old Place de l'Étoile. Its name comes from its first owner, Anne-Marie Adèle Caussin, known as Madame de Cassin, who in 1889 married the Marquis Landolfo de Carcano.

What is inside?

The Marquis assembled an impressive art collection inside the mansion, including paintings by Rembrandt and Rubens alongside sculptures by Rodin and Frémiet. Today the interior is best known for its ceremonial entrance hall, painted ceiling and wall decorations, and its period fireplaces. From the street, the wrought-iron balconies stand out as a hallmark of Second Empire style. Thanks to this artistic and historical value, the building was listed as a French monument historique by a decree of 19 October 1976, which protects specifically the entrance hall, the painted interior decoration, the fireplaces, and the balconies.

Who occupies the mansion today?

The Hôtel Landolfo-Carcano now houses the Embassy of Qatar in France. Because of this diplomatic role, the interior is closed to visitors and the building is under security measures. Travelers can, however, freely admire the façade from the street and the square.

How do you get there?

The easiest way is to take the metro to Charles de Gaulle – Étoile station, served by lines 1, 2 and 6, which leaves you barely a minute's walk from the mansion. It sits on the very same square as the Arc de Triomphe, so a visit to the arch naturally pairs with a look at the mansion's façade on the same walk. It's also worth strolling along the avenues that radiate out from the square, since the other "hôtels des Maréchaux" from the same 1853 series stand along them in a matching style.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Beyond the Arc de Triomphe itself, the Champs-Élysées with its shops and cafés lie within a few hundred meters, along with several other 19th-century mansions with similar histories. This corner of the square is a good spot to step away from the main tourist flow for a moment and look closely at Second Empire Parisian architecture, without the crowds usually found inside the arch.

When is the best time to visit?

The façade looks good in any season, but early morning or late afternoon light works best for photos, catching the wrought-iron balcony details and the sculpted ornamentation at an angle. Because the building serves as an embassy, security around it can tighten periodically, so it's sensible to take normal precautions and avoid lingering too long right by the entrance.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit the inside of the mansion? No — the building serves as the Embassy of Qatar and is not open to visitors. It can only be viewed from the outside.

When was the Hôtel Landolfo-Carcano built? It was built in 1867, designed by architect Charles Rohault de Fleury, as part of a series of twelve "hôtels des Maréchaux" around Place de l'Étoile.

Where does the mansion's name come from? From the Marquis Landolfo de Carcano, husband of the building's first owner, Anne-Marie Adèle Caussin, known as Madame de Cassin.

How do you reach it by public transport? The nearest metro station is Charles de Gaulle – Étoile, served by lines 1, 2 and 6, just a minute's walk from the mansion.