Passionate abouthistory and architecture? You are in the right city, because Paris is full of sublime monuments, representative of many artistic eras. Beyond its palaces, its cathedrals and churches or the Eiffel Tower, the French capital has a large number ofprivate mansions, nearly 400 still today, scattered through all its districts. If a good part of them are concentrated in the Marais district, particularly historical, they are easily found in the more affluent districts.
The private mansions are luxurious city residences, with an unusual decor and beautiful green spaces, often secret. The term "hotel" appeared in the Middle Ages to designate the residence of great lords and was also applied to the homes of financiers and wealthy bourgeois. The archetype of the mansion from the 17th centuryis presented with a main building at the back of a courtyard, whose sides accommodate the stables and staff housing .Generally, the rear façade overlooks a garden.
Some are still inhabited by rich owners, and cost several million euros, but the majority have been transformed into exceptional cultural places, such as museums, libraries or foreign embassies. It is also common to see restaurants or luxury hotels located in these residences, with sumptuous courtyards hidden from the residents.
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