Haussmannian apartment in Paris: where to find them?

Patrick tells you everything about Haussmann buildings in Paris

What does a Haussmannian building look like in Paris?

The quintessential Parisian building. Appeared in the 19th century, the Haussmann-style building is regulated by strict specifications: it has a height ranging from 12 to 20 meters (most of them are 18 meters) with a maximum of six floors. It is characterized by an imposing and uniform facade, ashlar walls, mansard zinc roofs, cornices, moldings and pediments. They generally have balconies on the second and fifth floors.

Specificity of Haussmannian apartments in Paris according to the floors

The ground floor has a significant ceiling height to be able to accommodate shops. The first floor is a basement that could accommodate traders. These two floors are often richly decorated, as they are the most visible part of the building from the street.

The second floor is reserved for the noblest families. It was therefore particularly well cared for by the architects. It has beautiful volumes and a long balcony with beautiful, richly ornamented ironwork.

The third and fourth floors are more discreet, as they were intended for the petty bourgeoisie. Contrary to our habits, the upper floors were not sought after. The higher the floor, the lower the social condition.

The fifth floor, which was so coveted today, was not reserved for the elite. The balconies on the 5th floor are only present to preserve the harmony of the buildings. You can also notice that the ironwork on the fifth floors is generally much more simple than that on the second. Another aspect that highlights this difference between the fifth and second floors: the much less generous ceiling height on the fifth floor.

Elevators in Haussmann buildings

In the 20th century, the gradual installation of elevators in buildings prompted buyers to look for higher floors as a priority. They offer more light, more beautiful views and protect against the noise generated by the increasingly dense and noisy Paris traffic. The price of a Parisian Haussmannian apartment on the fifth floor is now around 20% more expensive than the noble floor on the second floor.

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The specific elements of the Haussmannian apartment in Paris

The layout of the Haussmann apartments

When you enter a Haussmann flat, you enter a vast entrance called "galerie d'entrée". This is a large room used to welcome visitors and make them wait before being received. Today they may represent lost space for some, but they create an impression of space and volume that is added to the reception rooms. In parallel to the entrance gallery is a double or triple reception. A long corridor then leads to the rooms, which are placed next to each other. At the end of this corridor is the kitchen which has a door leading to the service staircase. This staircase leads to the service rooms which are located on the top floor of the building under the roof.

Contemporary renovation of Haussmann apartments

When the Haussmannian apartments are brought up to date, the kitchen located at the end of the apartment is moved to the living room rooms. The old kitchen is then transformed into a bedroom. It is not uncommon to see kitchens whose parquet is a magnificent parquet made of Hungarian point.

Parquet, Molding, Fireplace and other qualities of the Haussmannian apartment

The Haussmannian apartments continue to surprise us. They have been reinventing themselves since their construction in the 19th century. Many renowned architects have been inspired by these sumptuous apartments. They have enhanced the beauty of the parquet floors in Hungarian point or with straight slats, the marble fireplaces, the fineness of the moldings and the particularly beautiful light provided by the large windows of the Haussmann apartments. The Haussmann style apartments blends wonderfully with contemporary decor.

Here is a good example with the paw of architectural firm Audrey & Gabrielle :

Why are these apartments called Haussmannian?

Les Haussmann-style apartments owe their name to Georges Eugène Haussmann, a 19th century French administrator and politician. He was appointed senator in 1857, then became a member of the Academy of Fine Arts 10 years later. At the time, Napoleon III wanted to launch a large-scale renovation in the city of Paris. He entrusts this task to Georges Eugène Haussmann. Unprecedented works, economic, administrative and technical plans: all the means are available to transform the French capital. The Haussmannian apartments in Paris then emerge from the ground and have since become models of architecture.

The districts with the most Haussmann apartments

Where are you most likely to find Haussmannian apartments in Paris ?

8th arrondissement: Europe, Porte Maillot and Chaillot, Champs-Élysées.

17th arrondissement : Plain of Monceaux and Ternes.

9th arrondissement : Rochechouart.

7th arrondissement : Gros Caillou, Military School, Invalides.

6th arrondissement : Notre-Dame-des-Champs, Montparnasse, Odeon.

5th arrondissement : Val de Grâce.

However, other more affordable neighborhoods also offer great opportunities to find a Haussmannian apartment :

14th district: Plaisance and Petit Montrouge.

13th arrondissement: Croulebarb and La Salpetrière, behind the Jardin des Plantes.

12th district: Quinze Vingts, the top of Picpus.

18th arrondissement : behind Montmartre, the Clignancourt district.

10th arrondissement : Saint Vincent de Paul.

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What explains the presence of Haussmannian properties in Paris in certain neighborhoods?

You may be surprised not to see the Île de la Cité or even the Sorbonne In the Haussmannian districts of Paris. However, there is an urban explanation for this: the interconnection of stations and squares radially. Indeed, the main principle of urban planning of Baron Haussmann has largely preferred the main straight lines opening wide routes (from east to west) in the capital, starting with Place de l'Étoile, then from the Gare de l'Est to the Observatory. In addition, the six major Parisian train stations have become major points of connection. The Haussmannian apartments were therefore centralized around these main roads, leaving certain districts behind.

One last piece of advice

Take the time to look up, you rediscover The beauty of Haussmann buildings. Paris is a city with exceptional architecture. However, by dint of living there, we forget to look at it and admire it. The Haussmannian architecture changed the Parisian landscape in the space of twenty years between the years 1850 and 1870.

And, for the happy owners of Haussmann apartments or for anyone who visits them, take the time to observe the decorative elements, the layouts of the rooms, you can easily go back in time to the era of the 19th century.

Learn more:

What is the The most expensive district in Paris ?
What is the difference between compromise and promise of sale ?
Evolution of real estate rates : what you need to understand

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