The Parisian private mansion from the Middle Ages to the Roaring Twenties: A dream machine.

The private mansion is an inescapable feature of Paris’s architectural personality. Take an original journey through the capital’s history through its evolution and its implantation into the topography.

Dating from the Middle Ages, undoubtedly from the 13th century, this residence was the symbol of the new capital turned major Western artistic centre. From the 15th century onwards, the great mansions, such as Cluny, had already adopted the formula that would make their fame. Richly decorated and furnished, they put their splendour on show to passers-by whilst, at the same time, their hidden dark sanctuaries gave some privacy.

Penetrate the mystery of these buildings down through the centuries at the Cité de l’architecture & du patrimoine…