Haute Architecture: 6 Homes in Paris

Though many of the world’s great capitals are in the midst of winter’s chill, Paris in February is decidedly haute—even hot, at least, for Paris Fashion Week. From Feb. 28–March 8, the well-dressed, well-heeled, and well-known will jet into the French capital for the hottest ticket in town: the Fall/Winter 2022-2023 Ready to Wear runway shows. Of course, dedicated followers of high fashion take their style notes from the collections of the biggest names in fashion, Chanel, Saint Laurent, Louis Vuitton . . . . But when it comes to high-fashion living spaces, they can take their cues from this Luxury Defined collection of chic Parisian homes. So, whether one’s personal style is a ready-to-wear gown or a bespoke suit, a retro urban duplex or an elegant pied-à-terre, these haute homes stand as the ultimate fashion accessory.

Grand Trianon-Inspired Palais in Yvelines, Île-de-France

This magnificent property in Vésinet, just outside Paris, takes inspiration from Le Grand Trianon: Louis XIV’s “little palace of pink marble and porphyry” at Versailles. Listed as a historical monument, the grand Neoclassical villa was built in 1900 by the shipowner Arthur Schweitzer. It was the home of French poet Robert de Montesquiou from 1908 until 1921. General de Gaulle was a guest in 1940, en route to form the 4th Armored Division in the Battle of France (a plaque mounted on the building commemorates the occasion). Since then, the residence has undergone an extensive renovation and offers 21,537 square feet of living and entertaining space over three levels. There are multiple reception rooms for grand-scale entertaining, four bedroom suites. a cinema, playroom, squash court, gym, and lavish indoor pool. The ancillary dwellings include a four-bedroom guest house, a caretaker’s villa, staff accommodations, garages, and nearly two acres of immaculate formal grounds.

Elegant Apartment near Pont de l’Alma, 16th Arrondissement

This residence occupies the third floor of an elegant freestone building built in 1904. The setting, near Pont de l’Alma, is quiet, but close to 16th Arrondissement’s tony boutiques, Michelin-starred restaurants, and haute museums such as the Musée d’Art Moderne de Paris and Palais Galliera. The spacious entrance hall opens to 2,784 square feet of living space, stylishly renovated by an internationally renowned interior designer. Farther along is a light-filled, double reception room, a beautifully appointed dining room, large eat-in kitchen, and a library, which doubles as an en suite bedroom. A second en suite bedroom, a deluxe primary suite with private bathroom and dressing room, and a guest powder room round out the private quarters. The apartment is air-conditioned throughout and comes with a separate studio apartment, storage room, and private parking space nearby.

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Luxury Loft-Style Penthouse near Place des États-Unis, 16th Arrondissement

This luxurious loft-like penthouse occupies the top two floors of an elegant late-19th century Haussmannian building near Place des États-Unis, a stone’s throw from the Arc de Triomphe. The property was professionally renovated throughout and offers 6,125 square feet of sumptuous living space with classical proportions and contemporary style notes. The focal point of the main level is a floor-through reception room, featuring a wall of glass doors opening to a south- and east-facing terrace with a picture-postcard view of the Eiffel Tower. Just beyond is a formal dining room, sleek gourmet kitchen (with breakfast area), and lavish screening room. The highlight of the lower level is the owner’s suite, a deluxe private retreat with two bathrooms, a custom-built dressing room, and personal gym. This floor also houses five guest bedrooms, three of which are suites, and a luxurious lounge. The residence is air-conditioned throughout and includes an elevator, two cellars, and a 323-square-foot staff apartment, with access from the main apartment and independently.

Restored 1920s Duplex near Rue Jasmin, 16th Arrondissement

This tranquil urban retreat is in a stately 1920s mansion set back from the street in an upscale neighborhood of the 16th Arrondissement. The split-level floor plan offers 5,129 square feet of living space surrounded by over 4,000 square feet of serene, wood-decked terraces. The elegant entrance hall leads to a staircase and lift accessing the first floor which includes an entry with a cloakroom. The spacious, west-facing living/reception room opens onto a garden-view terrace. A sleek, contemporary kitchen offers a breakfast space and pantry/utility room, a study, and a shower room. The owner’s suite opens onto a balcony and comprises a bedroom, two dressing rooms, a bathroom, a shower room and a separate WC. Two further bedrooms on the upper floor each have a bathroom and shower room. A sitting room opens onto a second terrace. The fully air-conditioned apartment, meticulously renovated with contemporary finishes and fittings, also offers a staff apartment and garage.

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Exceptional Private Mansion near Jardin du Ranelagh, 16th Arrondissement

There are 23 vast rooms, 15 of them bedrooms, in this palatial, private mansion hidden in the heart of Paris’s 16th Arrondissement, near the headquarters of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the Jardin du Ranelagh. Built in 1907, its pale yellow-brick facade only hints at the high ceilings throughout, soaring to nearly 16.5 feet above the mezzanine, more than 15.5 feet on the first floor, and over 10.5 feet on the second floor—all illuminated by antique chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows. The foyer has a grand staircase, with its lacy cast-iron art moderne railing and balustrade, classical columns, and a terrace overlooking the elegant streetscape below. There are several beautifully appointed reception rooms with ornate wood-panelled walls, parquet floors, frescoed ceilings, and marble fireplaces. The residence and an annex housing a multi-car garage extend to more than 14,000 square feet. The property also includes a large basement, which could be reimagined as a private spa, cinema, studio, or guest suite, and 2,368 square feet of private outdoor space.

The Palace Penthouse near the Champs-Élysées, 8th Arrondissement

Executed on a palatial scale, this magnificent penthouse apartment occupies the sixth and seventh floors of a luxurious building and receives the exceptional services of the adjacent five-star Paris Palace-designated hotel. Encompassing 3,993 square feet, the living spaces have a fluid, contemporary aesthetic. The centerpiece of the main floor is a breathtaking reception room, which sits under a semi-barrel vault ceiling punctuated by skylights and opens onto a landscaped terrace. The glass-railed library level overlooks the common space. There is a dining room adjacent, and a very spacious, contemporary kitchen with breakfast area. On the upper floor, behind the library level is a sumptuous owner’s suite, with an opulent bathroom and dressing room, and a second bedroom with a shower room. Two more bedrooms offer generously proportioned bathrooms, Residents have access to the hotel’s swimming pool and spa, as well as 24/7 concierge service, all a short walk from the Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Élysées.