Romanian Embassy, Paris
4 Comments Published by Cedric Benetti on Saturday, October 31, 2009 at 10/31/2009 12:32:00 AM.
Hidden away in a quiet little street (rue de l'Exposition, named for the World's Fair) stands the former Hotel de Béhague home of the countess Martine de Béhague (said to have been one of the maitresses of Napoleon III), also known as the Romanian embassy, a building with an amazingly eclectic mix of styles in its interiors, ranging from pure versailles-style staircases and 18th century gilded salons to a darkened mauro-byzantinesque theater room.
The grand staircase, inspired by the Queen's staircase at Versailles
The Salon d'Or, uses 18th century gilded panels reminiscent of the ones found at the Hotel de Soubise.
A staircase that is quite strangely reminding me of Romanian staircases, particularly for its usage of dark wood and elaborate sculpting work.
In the late 1890s this private theater got built by Gustave-Adolphe Gerhardt, and was also used for art exhibitions. It is said that it can fit 600 people and still possesses one of the last private organs in Paris.
Renovation work is needed badly in here
The dining room dates back to 1904 and is in Rocaille style. The painting on the right is an early Boucher. The lady is not.
Labels: Art, paris history, Paris Mansions, photography
Wow I didn't even know Romanian ambassy in paris has such a grandoise building!
Amazing photos!
emmbassy*
embassy** (i really have problems writing on a tiny little eeePc)
Dear Cedric - I have just written a post on Hotel de Béhague and since my own photos (taken without flash last night after a conference and reception) came out so badly and could do this bijou absolutely no credit, I went searching on the web for pix to use. I came across yours and ask your forgiveness for having used some without asking you first. I have linked them back to you at each usage and written a post script at the end to you...
Thank you for your stunning post, your wonderful photographs and...I hope you will forgive me. Of course, if you are furious (which you have every right to me) I will remove them. Here is the link to my post: http://sarahinromania.canalblog.com/archives/2012/07/13/24700748.html
Very best wishes, and so sorry again,
Sarah In Romania