Un quartier prestigieux, les plus beaux monuments parisiens

A prestigious area close to the most beautiful Parisian monuments

The famous avenue de Friedland joins the Place Charles de Gaulle and Boulevard Haussman.  It is located in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, one of the most prestigious in the capital, near the Champs Elysees, the Arc de Triomphe and the presidential palace. Avenue de Friedland was called “the boulevard Beaujon” until 1864. She took the name of treasurer Nicolas Beaujon, who owned part of the non-urbanized sector.

A Street under the sign of elegance and refinement

Nicolas Beujon  also built the “Folie Beaujon” at the crossroads of rue Balzac. This recreational house which the visitors said:  « La Chartreuse is a real country, with a menagerie, a dairy, and even a chapel. The house is beautifully furnished with statues, paintings, and curious objects found at every street corner.

Honoré de Balzac lived in this area of Paris

It was at number 12 Avenue de Friedland, at the intersection of rue Balzac, that Balzac bought a house in 1846 in an outbuilding of the House la Folie Beaujon. He wanted to make a palace for Mrs. Hanska whom he married in May 1850. They lived together until his death on 18 August of that year.  Rue Fortunée was immediately transformed into Rue Balzac. A statue of the famous writer was built by the “Société des Gens de Lettres” (French association of writers) on the Friedland avenue in 1902.

A location full of history and prestige

Until 1857, the number of 33 Avenue de Friedland, current location of the Royal Hotel was the location of various castles.  First of these was the Comte de Lamscone which included Chinese and Gothic architecture. It was a contrast with usual architecture of 17th century of Paris.  It was then occupied by the castle Arsene Houssaye with its three towers, destroyed when the boulevard Beaujon was created.