Hôtel Le Marois

Hôtel Le Marois is a nineteenth-century private mansion in Paris, one of the most striking examples of Second Empire architecture on the Right Bank. Despite the name, it isn't a hotel where travelers can book a room — in French, "hôtel particulier" simply means a grand private townhouse once owned by a wealthy family. Today the building serves as the headquarters of a cultural association and a sought-after event venue, and its interiors still radiate the opulence of the Napoleon III era.

Where is it, and what does it look like from outside?

The mansion stands on avenue Franklin-D.-Roosevelt in the 8th arrondissement, just steps from the Champs-Élysées and the Grand Palais. Its neo-rocaille facade is covered in ornate carved decoration — flower garlands, draped stonework, and mascarons — giving the building a surprising lightness despite its monumental proportions. It's the kind of Parisian address you could easily walk past without realizing how much history sits behind the stone.

Who built it, and why?

The mansion was commissioned by Count Le Marois, son of a Napoleonic general and an avid art collector, who wanted to leave his previous residence on rue Blanche for the fashionable new neighborhood around the Champs-Élysées. Architect Henri Parent began construction in 1863, with the building completed around 1865. Curiously, the plot had previously held a house once inhabited by Marie Duplessis, the real-life courtesan who inspired Alexandre Dumas fils to write "The Lady of the Camellias."

What's inside worth seeing?

The undisputed highlight is the grand staircase, considered one of the finest surviving Napoleon III-style staircases in Paris. Paintings decorate the space beneath its double flight of stairs, the ceiling carries a composition depicting the apotheosis of Psyche, and the walls are covered in polychrome trompe-l'œil marbling. Beyond the staircase, the mansion holds eight modular reception salons and a landscaped terrace, together able to host more than 600 guests for events.

How did ownership change over time?

The Le Marois family retained the mansion until 1927, when it was handed over to the Association France-Amériques. Founded in 1909 by diplomat and academician Gabriel Hanotaux, the organization was created to strengthen ties between France and the Americas. Ever since, Hôtel Le Marois has served as the association's headquarters and remains a meeting point for diplomatic, business, and cultural figures from both sides of the Atlantic.

Can visitors go inside today?

The building isn't a museum with fixed opening hours — it functions primarily as the association's working headquarters and as a private venue rented out for weddings, galas, and corporate receptions. Access to the interior is sometimes possible through themed guided tours of Parisian mansions, and occasionally during heritage open-house events. Anyone hoping to see the staircase in person should keep an eye on local listings rather than expect a walk-in visit.

Frequently asked questions

Is Hôtel Le Marois a hotel where I can book a room? No. It's a historic private mansion, now the headquarters of the France-Amériques association and an event venue, not accommodation.

What architectural style is the building? Neo-rocaille, typical of Paris's Second Empire period, marked by lavish carved decoration on the facade.

Who owns and uses the mansion today? Since 1927 it has belonged to the Association France-Amériques, which promotes relations between France and the Americas.

Can the venue be rented for private events? Yes, the mansion offers eight salons and a terrace and is regularly booked for receptions, galas, and corporate gatherings for several hundred guests.