The hôtels particuliers of Paris are an unique concept, they define you and your family. A 19th century mansion build by the newly rich is not the same as an 17th century Hôtel Sully in the Marais, nor are all the 19th century mansions alike depending on their owners desire to focus on their modernity, show off their immense wealth, their political power and or their art collections.
The home of Moïse de Camondo was built as a modern accommodation with all the comforts the time period could offer and the efficiency a high society family with a large servant staff needed. Yet is was also tailor-made to host Moïse de Camondo’s impressive and already famous 18th decorative art collection which heavily focused on the most refined furniture. Moïse de Camondo donated his house to the French State in honour of his son Nissim de Camondo who died during WWI.
But one does not need to be amateur of 18th century to enjoy this exceptionally well preserved mansion that is now part of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs on rue de Rivoli next to the Louvre. You will be able to walk through the house from kitchens to the private apartments, hear about the life of masters and servants (yes, Upstairs Downstairs comes to mind!), the ways of the rich and powerful, the ever delicate position of the members of the Jewish community, of the powerful attraction of the “Siècle des Lumières” (the Age of Enlightenment) on the European 19th century mind and learn more about an important chapter in the history of France’s luxury industry.
Flavia Claes