The Elysee Palace: presidential grandeur in Paris

The Elysee Palace: presidential grandeur in Paris

Wondering where the French president lives and works? Right in the middle of Paris, in the Elysée Palace. In 1718, a town house was constructed on a plot of land in the then-sleepy area of Paris known as the Faubourg St-Honoré to serve as the residence of the Count of Evreux. Built and decorated between 1718 and 1722, the house was designed and laid out in accordance with the prevailing principles of contemporary architectural theory. At his death in 1753, the Comte left a town house that was admired by all his contemporaries, one of whom called it the finest country home in the neighbourhood of Paris. Passed on through the ages to various owners and occupiers, regal, powerful, socially connected and revolutionary, the palace has been transformed, redecorated, remodeled, modernized. In 1848, it was designed the official residence of the French president. Located at 55, rue du Faubourg St-Honore, the palace boasts beautiful private apartments, a presidential office, a wine cellar, a private florist, and magnificent English-style gardens. While it is not possible to tour the presidential palace, one can peek into the courtyard through the open gates on Wednesday mornings when the entire cabinet visits. If you’d like to get an idea of what the president eats, baker Rene Gerard St. Ouen brings fresh bread to the president twice daily; his boulangerie is located at 111 Boulevard Haussmann (metro Miromesnil, line 9). Take a marvelous virtual tour HERE of this elegant tribute to French architechture; you’ll see the entire palace getting ready for a president dinner. Spectaculaire!