Residence Of The U.S Ambassador To France & Monaco

Paris, France

Residence Of The U.S Ambassador To France & Monaco

Paris, France

A Long Franco-American History

Close by the Presidential Elysée Palace, the Champs Elysées and the Place de la Concorde,41 rue du Faubourg St. Honoré and its famous occupants have been at the center of Parisian life for three centuries. Joseph Antoine d’Aguesseau brother of the Royal Chancellor Henri d’Aguesseau purchased the property in 1710 to build a grand home there. It later passed through a succession of prominent owners before being reborn at the hands of a remarkable American woman of our early history, Micaela Almonester, Baroness de Pontalba. A talented real estate developer and indefatigable New Orleanian, the Baroness hired noted Italian-born French architect Louis Visconti to create the grand Hôtel de Pontalba. Completed in 1852, the mansion, its lavish contents, and the English garden she commissioned became the talk of Paris.

After the Baroness died, the property was purchased in 1876 by Edmond de Rothschild of the famous banking family. His French architect, Félix Langlais, extensively remodeled and extended Pontalba’s hôtel particulier. Tragedy struck the next generation of Rothschilds, who were forced to flee Paris as the Nazis moved in. Hermann Göring requisitioned the house to serve as his Luftwaffe officers’ club. After the war, the Allies rented it for three years, and in 1948 the United States purchased it for use as offices for The US Information Services during the Marshall Plan. Restoration work from 1966 to 1972 reclaimed the building’s grand residential purpose, preparing it for public service as the U.S. Ambassador’s home. A new era in the centuries-old saga of 41 rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré was about to begin.

Gallery

Plaster bust of Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States and diplomat. Courtesy of U.S. Mission France (Chantal Mistral-Bernard, Photographer).
Plaster bust of Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States and diplomat. Courtesy of U.S. Mission France (Chantal Mistral-Bernard, Photographer).
View through the Signing Room showing plaster boiseries from Hôtel Biron. Courtesy of U.S. Mission France (Chantal Mistral-Bernard, Photographer).
View through the Signing Room showing plaster boiseries from Hôtel Biron. Courtesy of U.S. Mission France (Chantal Mistral-Bernard, Photographer).
Portrait of Micaela de Pontalba Claude-Marie Dubufe (French, 1790-1864). Oil on canvas, 1841. 167” H x 90” W (162 H x 230 W cm) with frame. Courtesy of the Pontalba Family.
Portrait of Micaela de Pontalba Claude-Marie Dubufe (French, 1790-1864). Oil on canvas, 1841. 167” H x 90” W (162 H x 230 W cm) with frame. Courtesy of the Pontalba Family.
Courtesy of U.S. Mission France (Chantal Mistral-Bernard, Photographer).
Courtesy of U.S. Mission France (Chantal Mistral-Bernard, Photographer).
Portrait of George Washington in the Louis XVI Room. Courtesy of U.S. Mission France (Chantal Mistral-Bernard, Photographer).
Portrait of George Washington in the Louis XVI Room. Courtesy of U.S. Mission France (Chantal Mistral-Bernard, Photographer).
View of the gardens behind the residence that include features from the Baroness de Pontalba’s and Rothschild family’s time in the green expanse, graveled walks, and classical statuary. The cultural landscape is enriched by recent artworks with a contemporary emphasis on Franco-American diplomacy. Featured here is the Flamme de la liberté by Jean Cardot (1930-2000), gift of Ambassador and Mrs. Craig Roberts Stapleton, Marc Ladreit de Lacharriere, and distinguished patrons. Courtesy of U.S. Mission France (Chantal Mistral-Bernard, Photographer).
View of the gardens behind the residence that include features from the Baroness de Pontalba’s and Rothschild family’s time in the green expanse, graveled walks, and classical statuary. The cultural landscape is enriched by recent artworks with a contemporary emphasis on Franco-American diplomacy. Featured here is the Flamme de la liberté by Jean Cardot (1930-2000), gift of Ambassador and Mrs. Craig Roberts Stapleton, Marc Ladreit de Lacharriere, and distinguished patrons. Courtesy of U.S. Mission France (Chantal Mistral-Bernard, Photographer).
U.S. Independence Day celebration. Courtesy of U.S. Embassy Paris.
U.S. Independence Day celebration. Courtesy of U.S. Embassy Paris.
The Flamme de la liberté by Jean Cardot (1930-2000), gift of Ambassador and Mrs. Craig Roberts Stapleton, Marc Ladreit de Lacharriere, and distinguished patrons. Courtesy of U.S. Mission France (Chantal Mistral-Bernard, Photographer).
The Flamme de la liberté by Jean Cardot (1930-2000), gift of Ambassador and Mrs. Craig Roberts Stapleton, Marc Ladreit de Lacharriere, and distinguished patrons. Courtesy of U.S. Mission France (Chantal Mistral-Bernard, Photographer).

Preserving Heritage and Diplomacy

After five decades of diplomatic service and over 130 years since Edmond de Rothschild’s reconstruction of the original The Hôtel Pontalba––the 19th century landmark and gardens require extensive repairs and restoration. The Fund to Conserve is focusing on raising support for specific preservation and restoration components to prepare the residence for it’s ongoing service representing the United States and the nation’s longstanding friendship with France. Project components include:

  • New Rothschild-Era Inspired Verrière d’entrée The construction of a new entry vestibule at the main entry inspired by a previous 19th century entry from the Edmond de Rothschild era.

    The new vestibule will accomplish the following:

    • improve the entry experience of diplomatic officials and
    • provide accessibility for anyone with a physical or mobility disability (lift, egress stairway).
    • create an air lock to mitigate heat loss or gain, improve efficiency of climate control and reduce energy consumption.
    • enhance conditions for residents and diplomatic visitors; enhance protection of heritage assets and collections.
    • address current structural and water infiltration issues at the existing stairs.

 

  • Specialized Historic Window Restoration 

The residence has 143 windows with the majority of the large casement windows on the ground, first and second floors dating to the Rothschild period and are protected under local heritage requirements. Specialized tradespeople will restore the windows and incorporate additional interior glazing to improve thermal performance.

  • Reconstruction of Historic Garden Terrace Railing                                                 

The Rothschild era elegant wrought iron railing along the garden terrace was removed during the 1940’s.  It complimented the balcony railings also on the residence’s garden facade. The terrace railing reconstruction completes the elegance of this facade and enhances safety for the thousands guests and dignitaries who attend meetings and events at the residence throughout the year.

A Crown Jewel In America's Diplomatic Crown

Ambassador Arthur K. Watson was the first envoy to move in. Over the following fifty years, fifteen U.S. ambassadors put America’s best foot forward in France from one of Paris’s most magnificent homes on one of its most storied streets. The residence serves as a Franco-American gathering place for thousands of French and American guests each year. Its elegant salons have hosted high-level diplomacy at historic moments such as the end of the Vietnam conflict and the Cold War, the effort to rally the world to respond to the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the push to bring the Paris Climate Accords into being. Visiting U.S. presidents stay there; French presidents come from the nearby Elysée Palace to attend diplomatic events. Whether guests are statesmen or students, artists or entrepreneurs, all are inspired by the elegance of its French interiors, the peacefulness of its emerald green gardens, and the grand sweep of its long Franco-American story.

Support This Heritage Landmark's Preservation

The Fund to Conserve is raising awareness of the U.S. Ambassador’s Residence-Paris—a heritage landmark and diplomatic symbol representing America as well as the nation’s enduring friendship with France. We are working to generate vital private sector support for the preservation of America’s heritage jewel in the City of Light.

You, your company, or organization are invited to join this effort. Donate today using the “Donate Now” button below.  Learn about other ways to participate by emailing Info@FundtoConserve.org

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