Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild

Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild is a historic private mansion in Paris, standing at 11 rue Berryer in the 8th arrondissement, just steps from Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

Who built this mansion, and why here?

The building went up between 1872 and 1878, designed by architect Léon Ohnet for Adèle von Rothschild, widow of Salomon James de Rothschild of the French branch of the Rothschild banking family. By the late 19th century, the streets around Faubourg Saint-Honoré had become one of the most sought-after addresses in Paris, favored by wealthy bourgeois and aristocratic families looking to build a grand yet discreet urban residence — exactly the brief Adèle von Rothschild set for her new home.

How did the mansion end up in state hands?

Adèle von Rothschild died in 1922. Rather than leaving the property to her only child, Hélène de Rothschild, she bequeathed it to the French fine arts administration. She had disinherited Hélène years earlier over her daughter's marriage to a Roman Catholic, a decision that speaks to how sharp the family rift had become. The consequence for visitors today is straightforward: the building has belonged to the French state ever since, not to a private owner or the Rothschild family.

What makes the building architecturally distinctive?

The mansion is a textbook example of a hôtel particulier — a freestanding townhouse built around its own courtyard, a format favored by affluent 19th-century Parisian families. This layout let owners present an impressive facade to visiting guests while keeping the household's daily life shielded from the street. Its address places it in the immediate orbit of Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, a street now lined with luxury boutiques, art galleries, and foreign embassies.

Can visitors go inside?

The building remains state property and is used for administrative purposes, so it is not run as a museum with a public visiting circuit. The main appeal for casual visitors is the exterior itself, best appreciated on foot while exploring the 8th arrondissement between the Champs-Élysées and Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

What else is nearby, and how do you get there?

The 8th arrondissement is one of the most stately parts of Paris. Within a short walk of rue Berryer you'll find the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Élysée Palace, official residence of the French president. It's an easy pairing of a historical stroll with high-end shopping or a coffee stop at one of the neighborhood's cafés.

Frequently asked questions

When was Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild built, and by whom? It was constructed between 1872 and 1878 by architect Léon Ohnet, commissioned by Adèle von Rothschild.

Why is the mansion named after Salomon rather than Adèle, who commissioned it? Adèle was the widow of Salomon James de Rothschild, and the residence has traditionally kept his name even though the actual building rose after his death, at his widow's initiative.

Does the Rothschild family still own the property? No. After Adèle von Rothschild's death in 1922, the mansion passed to the French fine arts administration, bypassing her daughter Hélène.

Is the Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild open to tourists? It functions as an administrative building rather than a public attraction, but its exterior can be viewed while walking through the 8th arrondissement.