Les Hôtels Particuliers De Paris : Du Moyen Âge À La Belle Époque

In Paris, the model of the private mansion was formed in the Middle Ages and developed until the beginning of the 20th century. The construction of the hotels mobilised the best architects and the most fashionable decorators. Beyond their promises, their achievements reflect the taste and art of living of a vanished society. A clever blend of rules and fantasy, convention and genius, the Parisian hotel was born of a dream of domination, subtly adapted to the constraints of the big city. For its owner, it still represents a means of displaying a dazzling success while constituting an intimate refuge, where he can enjoy the city without suffering its inconveniences

This book offers a history of these private mansions, which reflect the power of their patrons, the talent of the best architects and the audacity of the great decorators.