Hotel de Sully

Located between the famous Place des Vosges and Rue Saint-Antoine, the Hôtel de Sully is one of the most sumptuous examples of a Louis XIII style private mansion. Built starting in 1624, it was acquired ten years later by the Duke of Sully, the renowned minister of Henry IV. Behind its grand carriage entrance lies a perfectly harmonious courtyard, where the ashlar facades are richly adorned with sculptures representing the Seasons and the Elements, reflecting the splendor of 17th-century Parisian nobility. Today, it houses the Centre des Monuments Nationaux (National Monuments Centre), and while it isn't entirely open to the public like a traditional museum, its outdoor spaces offer an enchanting, timeless escape. Wandering through the tranquil French garden, you'll discover a unique view of the Orangerie and a "secret" passageway that leads directly to one of the corners of the Place des Vosges. It is an essential stop to grasp the historical and architectural soul of Paris.