by Discover the magnificent Hôtel de Samuel Bernard at 46 rue du Bac in Paris’ prestigious 7th arrondissement, a remarkable testament to the wealth and influence of Louis XIV’s era. This historic mansion tells the extraordinary story of Samuel Bernard (1651-1739), who rose from Protestant origins to become Europe’s richest man and principal banker to Louis XV.
The hôtel’s architectural evolution spans several decades. An initial mansion was constructed around 1697-1699, possibly by an architect from the renowned Bruand family. In 1730, Bernard commissioned architect Louis Fourcroy to build the elegant street-facing structure. The property underwent major transformations starting in 1740 when Jacques-Samuel Bernard, Samuel’s son, hired architect François Debias-Aubry to add two perpendicular wings, creating the distinctive U-shaped plan we see today.
The entrance features a magnificent porte cochère (carriage gateway) adorned with remarkable carved door panels by sculptor Michel Martin, depicting allegories of Justice and Truth – fitting symbols for a financier who funded royal wars and managed the kingdom’s treasury. These historic doors earned classification as monuments historiques in 1954.
Inside, two grand staircases with original wrought iron railings from the 17th century sweep visitors upward, preserving the grandeur of the earlier residence. The main staircase led to an antechamber that opened onto formal dining rooms, while the courtyard once connected to a spectacular elliptical music salon decorated with overdoors by masters Van Loo, Restout, Natoire, and Dumarest.
After the Bernard family, the mansion passed through illustrious hands including the Prince of Grimbergen and various 19th-century nobility. Today, the building houses the famous Deyrolle taxidermy establishment, adding another layer to its rich history.
The Hôtel de Samuel Bernard stands as a monument to the financial power that shaped France’s golden age, its architecture reflecting both the Protestant work ethic of its founder and the baroque magnificence expected of royal financiers. The building’s facades, roofs, and historic staircases received additional protection as monuments historiques in 2008, ensuring this piece of Parisian financial history endures for future generations.