Built between 1732 and 1733 by the French architect Jean-Sylvain Cartaud, the Hôtel de La Rochefoucauld-Doudeauville has housed the Italian Embassy since 1937.
The mansion is also known as the Hôtel de Boisgelin, in memory of the archbishop who lived there at the end of the 18th century.
Under a unique agreement signed between the two countries dating from 1936, the Italian Embassy in France and the French Embassy in Italy respectively occupy the Hôtel de La Rochefoucauld-Doudeauville in Paris and the Palazzo Farnese in Rome.
An exceptional bond thus links these two diplomatic sites, located in two capital cities themselves bound by an equally exceptional relationship—, immortalized in a now-famous motto inscribed in the exclusive twinning agreement of Rome and Paris in 1956: “Only Paris is worthy of Rome; only Rome is worthy of Paris.”
Among the prestigious salons of the Italian Embassy are the Chinese Salon, the small library, the “Sala Guardi”—featuring a series of paintings by Gianantonio Guardi—and the Sicilian Theater, a true gem of Sicilian rococo originating from the Butera Palace in Palermo, dating back to the 18th century.
Contemporary Italian art and design are also showcased throughout the salons of the Residence, as part of a program to promote and highlight Italian contemporary creation and Made in Italy excellence.
Mr. Lorenzo Margani, Cultural Attaché, will lead this very exclusive visit.
This a French language visit.
Register online, in dollars or Euros, using the ticket options below. To register by check or by wire transfer, please contact Cassandra Surer (cassandrasurer@yahoo.com)
