Before us stands La Faisanderie a Parisian gem. Its elegant facade whispers tales of bygone eras. This isn’t just a street it’s a living history book.
La Faisanderie takes its name from a former pheasant farm. This was part of the Chateau de la Muette now long gone. The farm was a royal hunting ground. It supplied the royal table with delectable birds.
Number 16 Rue de la Faisanderie holds a special place in cinematic history. A scene from the iconic French film La Grande Vadrouille was shot here. Bourvil and Louis de Funès graced these very walls. The courtyard and a green trellis from number 14 featured prominently. A fun fact though the paint that seemingly falls from a painter’s bucket is actually condensed milk. It looked better on screen.
This building isn’t just a film location. It is a marvel of architecture. Built in 1901 it evokes the elegance of the Orangery at the Elysee Palace. Its design is a copy of a Marais mansion. The original was sadly lost to Haussmann’s renovations. This architectural gem was recognized in 1972 when it was added to the French national heritage list.
The building has seen many changes. It was once the Seton-Porter Hotel. This was owned by the wealthy American heiress Federica Berwind. She transformed it during WWII into an annex to the American hospital. The building was abandoned after the war until 1950. It then became the headquarters of the Union des Fabricants. This association fights against counterfeiting. The irony isn’t lost that a building which is itself a copy now houses a museum dedicated to stopping fakes.
La Faisanderie’s story continues to unfold. Many films and TV shows have been filmed there. It continues to attract attention for its beauty history and connection to both the world of cinema and the fight against fakes. It stands as a testament to Paris’ rich past. It is a symbol of the city’s enduring elegance. It is indeed a place you won’t want to forget.