Private visits : the most beautiful foreign embassies in Paris

Ambassade du Qatar

Face à la Place de l'Étoile, l'Hôtel de la Marquise de Landolfo-Carcano, construit en 1858, accueille la représentation diplomatique de l'Emirat. Dans cette superbe demeure privée, les Monuments Historiques ont classé le vestibule avec ses colonnes corinthiennes, le plafond peint représentant le triomphe de Junon et une Psyché endormie, le plafond à caissons, la chambre à décor noir et or ainsi que la cheminée aux cariatides .

An invitation to the cocktail given on the 18th of December, the Qatari national holiday, will be necessary to enjoy these splendours. © DR

Embassy of Roumania

Considered as one of the most outstanding in Paris, the private mansion of the Hôtel de Béhague, whose construction dates back to 1866, is open to the public during Patrimonial Days. An occasion to admire the paneling of its salons in the Louis XV style, without forgetting the oval library and the main staircase of honor that in the past led to the secret apartment of the very wealthy countess.

At number 123, on rue Saint-Dominique, the Romanian flag floats atop one of the most beautiful palaces of the Republic. © DR

Embassy of Poland

Since one year, His Excellence Tomasz Mlynarski is at the helm of the Hôtel de Monaco, a private mansion, located near the Invalides, and whose magnificence rivals with Matignon. Conceived like an Italian pavilion, nestled in greenery, the opulence of its particularly luxurious decoration is a testimony to the spirit of the venue, since forever a place for prestigious receptions.

Refinement in the slightest detail is the trademark of this Polish window-display that draws its inspiration from Versailles. © DR

Embassy of the United-Kingdom 

Near the Elysée, the neo-classic embassy of Her Very Gracious Majesty is installed in the private mansion of the Hôtel de Charost, 35, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, and it's Baron Ed Llewellyn, who is in charge of British diplomatic affairs in France. This unique landmark even has a throne room, ready to welcome Queen Elisabeth II, according to a rigourously established protocol.

Built in 1722, the former palace of the Borghese was the residence of the Duke of Wellington after his victory at Waterloo. © DR

The Embassy of Italy

Sur la rive gauche, le manoir privé, connu sous le nom de l'Hôtel de Boisgelin, cultive de petits airs de La Dolce Vita. Classé dans l'inventaire des Monuments Historiques depuis 1926, chacun de ses éléments décoratifs est un chef-d'œuvre. De l'escalier principal aux marbres polychromes, rehaussés par des tapisseries représentant «L'histoire d'Esther», avec de précieux panneaux muraux Rocaille, tous issus d'élégants palais italiens.

Rarement ouverte aux visiteurs, la «Salle Mappemonde» présente un splendide globe terrestre du XVIIe siècle. © DR