A gem of an apartment near Parc Monceau

On the first floor of a remarkable mansion on the edge of Parc Monceau, this apartment, a prime example of the Napoleon III style, flaunts the splendour of marble and ornamental details etched in gold. A property of outstanding stylishness, offering rooms with extraodinary volumes and a lovely leafy view.

Fascinating and splendid, this apartment both charms and surprises. On the first floor of a listed mansion, built in 1870 by architect Henri Parent for the industrialist Emile Menier, this elegant pied-à-terre adorned with sculptures by Jules Dalou perfectly captures the taste of the Second Empire within its walls. The tone is set straight from the entrance hall, with a majestic private staircase in inlaid polychrome marble. It leads to the reception rooms offering impressive volumes and remarkably high ceilings. The first most striking impression is that of wonderful light. The sun seems to have elected domicile here, flowing freely and harmoniously into each room of this apartment, which boasts over 20 windows overlooking greenery. Basking in peacefulness most of the time, the ambiance becomes lively at certain times of the day to the sound of cheerful activities in the Parc Monceau. A leafy setting of which one has a panoramic view thanks to the many windows, but also the astonishing round terrace of 25 m2. Multiple perspectives offering soothing contemplation to the onlooker. Waves of serenity seem to flood the entire apartment, especially in the spacious master bedroom benefiting from four double corner windows overlooking the park and a ceiling depicting a lovely blue sky. But also in one of the two bathrooms, entirely fitted out in green marble, featuring a vast bathtub with gilded faucets as its majestic centerpiece.

The lavish use of wood takes the guise of herringbone parquet flooring, ceiling beams and furnishings, flirting with the precious marble for each of the fireplaces and the floors of the two bathrooms. From chimney pieces with medallions to drawing-rooms with coffered ceilings, a small study, the walls of the hallway, the dining-room and library, ornamentation and colour have been given “carte blanche” to create a style masterfully blending various eras and taking us on a trip in time. A far cry from “contemporary”, the magic casts its spell, allowing creativity of a romantic kind to work its charm. With its gilding, glory and sumptuousness, this apartment is for an everyday lifestyle stamped with elegance, reconstitut­ing an ambiance of yesteryear, in which one can easily picture members of the house staff pursuing their tasks in the early hours of morning...

While the leafy decor of the Parc Monceau is beautifully framed by the windows, the entire interior basks in sunshine and light. In perfect architectural balance, the rooms pay tribute to regal esthetics, endowing the atmosphere with an extra bonus of mellowness and soul.

While the leafy decor of the Parc Monceau is beautifully framed by the windows, the entire interior basks in sunshine and light. In perfect architectural balance, the rooms pay tribute to regal esthetics, endowing the atmosphere with an extra bonus of mellowness and soul.

With its inlaid marble flaunting a hint of gold, this apartment hides nothing of its flamboyant past, but rather prides itself on its sumptuousness and preciousness, worthy of the most fabulous palaces.

With its inlaid marble flaunting a hint of gold, this apartment hides nothing of its flamboyant past, but rather prides itself on its sumptuousness and preciousness, worthy of the most fabulous palaces.

Offering magnificent views of Parc Monceau, this apartment of 425 m2 is comprised of eight main rooms boasting impressive volumes and ceilings over four metres high. Its lovely round terrace and many windows allow natural daylight to play the star role. A service apartment of 30  m2 and a parking place complete the property. Price by request.

Offering magnificent views of Parc Monceau, this apartment of 425 m2 is comprised of eight main rooms boasting impressive volumes and ceilings over four metres high. Its lovely round terrace and many windows allow natural daylight to play the star role. A service apartment of 30  m2 and a parking place complete the property. Price by request.

“Marked by a blend of styles evoking several different eras, this apartment with its very unusual assets in fact corresponds to a highly specific clientele,” says Kyan Zaré who is handling the property. “For me, it is more a property of “representation”, which I imagine would suit an embassy, for example, rather than a couple with children - even though there is a real possibility of altering the layout and adding a touch of modernity while preserving the apartment’s original spirit.”

Sotheby’s IR, Propriétés Parisiennes, 95 Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris 8 (06 15 18 77 15).