La Muette - Cortambert
Paris 16^e

Although largely modelled by the hand of Baron Haussmann, whose love of straight lines is clear in the wide avenues and esplanades, the majestic buildings and the imposing townhouses, the district also contains a few architectural “anomalies”, such as the Hôtel Guimard and the Hôtel Mezzara designed by Hector Guimard in his signature Art Nouveau style. The original Café Prunier, on the corner of Rue Traktir, designed by architect Louis-Hippolyte Boileau, boasts a magnificent blue mosaic façade with large windows,

while the spectacular La Maison de la Radio, with its circular form, brings a touch of modernity echoed by a number of other buildings in the district.

Real estate here is lavish, whatever the architectural style. The houses and generously sized Haussmann apartments match the level of elegance of the district’s inhabitants, from all walks of life, diplomats, entrepreneurs and those working in finance, but all well off.

A remnant of time gone by, La Gare - La Muette train station in a former life - has retained all its pomp and splendour in the form of a brasserie where dining feels like a prelude to a departure on vacation!

The Musée Marmottant – Monet, born of Paul Marmottan’s passion for the Empire style, a style in which he entirely redecorated and furnished his townhouse on Avenue Raphaël. He also added the collections of his father, fascinated by the Middle Ages and Renaissance painters, and transformed the family home into a fabulous museum. Thanks to Monet’s younger son, who made the Musée Marmottan his sole legatee, the museum became an internationally renowned institution, housing the world’s largest number of the painter’s works and objects belonging to him.

A truly poetic interlude.

With the arrival of finer weather, the Maison de Balzac overlooking the hillsides of Passy from its landscaped garden and vineyard offers a striking view of Paris. And don’t forget to stop off at Rose Bakery in the grounds for those of you with a sweet tooth!