Tucked away in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, Villa Ballu whispers tales of artists, writers, and a touch of old-world charm. Villa Ballu isn’t just a street; it’s a hidden passage, a portal to a quieter, more elegant time. Villa Ballu is nestled behind number 23 Rue Ballu. The entrance is marked by an interesting facade with Art Nouveau influences. This street, once known as “Cité Ballu,” received its more sophisticated name in 1929. The villa takes its name from Théodore Ballu, one of the architects who rebuilt the Hôtel de Ville in Paris. Built in the mid-19th century as part of a larger real estate project, Villa Ballu offers a glimpse into the New Athens district. This district, developed after the discovery of Pompeii, boasts architecture inspired by antiquity. Mansions and buildings were designed for the writers, musicians, painters, and bourgeois of the time. Rue Ballu itself replaced an old bourgeois house, the Pavilion La Bouëxière, in the 1840s.
Villa Ballu’s allure attracted prominent figures like writer Émile Zola, who resided at number 23. He lived on the second and then the first floor before moving to Rue de Bruxelles in 1889. Even the painter Edgar Degas spent time residing here. The poet Stéphane Mallarmé even immortalized the address in his poem, “Les loisirs de la Poste,” dedicated to his friends, mentioning “Rue, au 23, Ballu” and “Monsieur Degas.” The villas along Villa Ballu, including numbers 6 and 8, feature private gardens and showcase the unique character of this charming paved alley. One resident, banker Antoine Grenouillet, described his home as a “small chalet-like hotel,” with a preserved wood facade still visible today, painted in blue and red. Later, the Marquis Astolphe de Custine, known for his work “La Russie en 1839,” moved into Villa Ballu in 1858, followed by Count Eugène Charles Feydeau de Brou in 1868.
Today, Villa Ballu remains a peaceful escape from the bustling city, though now open during the week due to the presence of offices. It still exudes the charm of a bygone era, a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.