The Maison de Balzac, one of the residences of the famous writer, is one of the literary jewels of the capital, located in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.

A true haven of greenery

This house-museum also boasts an incredible garden with a view of the Eiffel Tower, as well as a café. The location offers a true haven of greenery with a view of the Eiffel Tower, hidden from view, perfect for sunbathing in peace. Freshly renovated, the house-museum of the famous writer is once again accessible. It was here, in Passy, that Balzac lived for seven years and wrote La Comédie Humaine. This house, transformed into a museum, reveals Balzac’s personal life: manuscripts, everyday objects, paintings, engravings, and original editions.

Rose bakery tea room

The visit includes the three floors of the building, a former private mansion, as well as the discovery of a secluded garden with a unique view, where a small English café, The Rose Bakery, is nestled. It is the only existing residence of the writer today. He lived there from 1840 to 1847, under the pseudonym “Monsieur Breugnol,” to escape his creditors. Honoré de Balzac was indeed in debt at that time and wrote every evening by candlelight in one of the five rooms of his apartment. Interestingly, from the outside, only one floor is visible, while the others appear to be underground because the ground is sloping. In 1908, Louis Baudier de Royaumont rented this apartment of Balzac and transformed it into a museum, inaugurated in July 1910. The pavilion was later classified as a historical monument, as were the gardens, a few years later. Work was needed in the 2000s, but its completion was delayed, and the Maison de Balzac did not reopen until 2019. The renovated building contains documents of the author, his manuscripts, rare editions, paintings, and unusual objects such as his coffee maker.

Classified as a historical monument

One of the rooms holds the secrets of La Comédie Humaine, the famous collection of his 90 works. Nearly 1,000 of the 6,000 characters in the work are grouped in the form of engravings, and there is also a 14.5-meter painting forming the genealogy of the characters, most of which he imagined in this house. Located on the courtyard side, a library is accessible to anyone interested in his collections.

A moment of relaxation and culture

After visiting the building, the adjoining garden is an excellent place to take a refreshing break. Hidden from view, under the watchful eye of the Eiffel Tower, about 650 square meters are available for sunbathing, reading on a bench, or enjoying one of the excellent cakes offered by the English coffee shop Rose Bakery. It is perfect for spending a moment combining relaxation and culture, and for taking a break from the hustle and bustle of the capital for a few moments.