A presidential assassination. That’s what happened here. At 11 Rue Berryer. Right here on the site of the Hu00f4tel Salomon de Rothschild.
This elegant street in Paris holds a secret. A dark secret. It’s more than just a beautiful Parisian street. The Hu00f4tel Salomon de Rothschild stands as a testament to a tragic event. A story of love loss and ultimately violence.
The building itself is stunning. It was built between 1872 and 1878. Adu00e8le von Rothschild commissioned it. She was the widow of Salomon James de Rothschild. She built it as a memorial. A memorial to her late husband. Architects Lu00e9on Ohnet and Justin Ponsard designed the neoclassical masterpiece. The hotel’s style was inspired by the Chu00e2teau de Ferriu00e8res. It features a grand hall surrounded by a gallery. The interior was lavish. Leopold Moulignon decorated the rooms in Baroque and bucolic styles.
Adu00e8le filled the house with art. Much of it was Jewish art. She inherited many pieces from her father. Some came from her father-in-law. The Smoking Room was like a museum. It showcased her husband’s legacy.
But tragedy struck. On May 6 1932. President Paul Doumer was attending a book fair. He was in the Hu00f4tel Salomon de Rothschild. A Russian u00e9migru00e9 shot him. Paul Gorguloff was mentally unstable. The President died the next day. The building became forever linked to this shocking event.
Today the Hu00f4tel Salomon de Rothschild houses various organizations. It’s home to the Centre national de la photographie. Its beautiful garden is open to the public. The history of the building lives on. Both its beauty and its tragic past. It’s a reminder of the contrasts in life. A powerful mix of elegance and violence. A place of both celebration and sorrow. A place where you are standing right now.