Art Nouveau stands out for its technicality, its ornamental style, and its floral and feminine patterns. This trend, praising curves and arabesques, left its mark on the urban landscape of the early 20th century. By exploring the 16th district of Paris, we discover the architectural treasures of the influential Hector Guimard (1867-1942), an emblematic figure of this movement.

Hotel Guimard

Head towards 122 Avenue Mozart for a captivating journey to the hotel that proudly carries the name of its visionary builder. Constructed in 1909, Hector Guimard erected this splendid edifice as his primary residence and agency, leaving an indelible mark with intricate scrolls, bow windows, awning dormers, cornices, all thoughtfully arranged in an irregular yet enchanting composition. Embracing nature's essence, the architect fearlessly diverged from the prevailing norms of classicism, embracing non-conformism, and reveling in the boundless realms of creative freedom.

Castel Béranger

At 14 rue Jean-de-La-Fontaine, one finds the emblematic Castel Béranger building. Classified as a historic monument and considered the first masterpiece of Art Nouveau, this work – completed in 1898 – consists of three buildings linked together by a courtyard. From its exterior facade, there are stone frames, beautiful ornate ironwork, as well as an animal bestiary populated by seahorses. The interior is full of refined decorations, right down to the glazed stoneware vestibule.

The Mezzara Hotel

Not far from there, at number 60, one can find another remarkable example. Built in 1910 for Paul Mezzara, a textile industrialist – and listed as a historical monument – this eponymous hotel stands out through a profusion of details. If the plant kingdom is always in order, this time, the architect demonstrates all his virtuosity: a cathedral hall crowned with a superb zenithal stained-glass window. Today, most of the interior spaces and their decorative elements, such as the cast iron railings, have been preserved.