DK Travel : Paris : History & Culture

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Hôtel de Brienne

This mansion houses the Ministry of Defence, so no photos are allowed. Napoleon’s mother lived here from 1806–17.
Hôtel de Gallifet

This attractive mansion was built in 1739 with Classical styling. It is now the Italian Institute.
Hôtel de Monaco de Sagan

Now the Polish Embassy, this 1784 mansion has fountains framing the entrance. It served as the British Embassy until 1825.
Hôtel de Noirmoutiers

Built in 1722, this was once the army staff headquarters and World War I commander Marshal Foch died here in 1929. It now houses ministerial offices.
Hôtel de Ville

Paris’s town hall sports an elaborate façade, with ornate stonework, statues and a turreted roof. It is a 19th-century reconstruction of the original town hall, which was burned down in the Paris Commune of 1871. Though the pedestrianized square in front is pleasant now, it was once the site of gruesome executions: Ravaillac, assassin of Henri IV, was quartered alive here in 1610.
Hôtel de Villeroy

Built in 1724 for Charlotte Desmarnes, an actress at the Comédie-Française, it is now the Ministry of Agriculture.
Hôtel des Invalides
Hôtel des Invalides

Walk into the centre of the courtyard to fully appreciate this magnificent set of buildings.
Hôtel des Invalides
Hôtel Dieu

The Hôtel Dieu, now the hospital for central Paris, was built on the site of a foundling home in 1866–78; the original 12th-century building on the Ile de la Cité was demolished during the urban renewal schemes of the 19th century. A monument in the courtyard commemorates a courageous battle here in 1944 when Paris police held out against the German Nazis.