The street of the hotel
Let’s start with our street: Laferrière Street, at the beginning of the 19ᵉ century, served the stables of the private mansions of the many bankers who settled in the burgeoning “New Athens” district, particularly Place Saint-Georges, whose surroundings were gradually taken over by the “swallows’ nests”, the “Lorettes” who sought to be noticed by these same bankers. The Arvor Hotel was built around 1850 to be a hotel before becoming the “family home” that we cherish so much!
Turning left onto Laferriere Street, we find a brothel famous for its pornographic screenings in the late 19ᵉ and a Greek Orthodox church.
Museum of Romantic Life
Let’s continue with the “Museum of Romantic Life” to discover the house of Ary Scheffer, decorated in the spirit and style of the time.
On Rue de Clichy, we take a quick look at the billiard room and the statue on the square, the start of “Journey to the end of the night”. Going back down the rue de Clichy, let’s stop in the passage which shelters the theatre of the work, whose factotum and actor was during 20 years Antonin Artaud. We pass in front of the offices of SACD, the society of authors and composers.
Rue La Rochefoucault to get to the “Gustave Moreau Museum”. On four levels, the museum presents about 1300 paintings, watercolours and nearly 5000 drawings. Then head to Orleans Square, one of the most romantic squares in New Athens. The square is invisible from the street and represents a high quality architectural ensemble created by an English architect.
Direction rue St Georges. At number 35 Auguste Renoir lived and worked there. Notice the glass roof of his artist’s studio on the top floor. He received the Impressionists there as early as 1774, the year of their famous autumn exhibition. At 8, Degas’ birth house (1834). At 11, the residence of the tycoon Émile de Girardin, whose wife Delphine Gay ran a renowned salon that brought together the cream of the Parisian romantic movement.
The Butte Montmartre
Continue your visit of the district by the hill of the Sacred-Heart basilica, where you can admire the beautiful view of Paris. You can even see the Eiffel Tower. From there, take a stroll on the Place du Tertre with its many artists. The Montmartre hill is accessible on foot or by the funicular on its left side.
Once back down from the Butte Montmartre, you can pass by the Place Gustave Toudouze, and then go down the rue Henri Monnier. The first street on the left is Laferrière Street. At number 12, the poet Stéphane Mallarmé was born In 1842… Just next doors, number 10, is the home and working house of the composer Pascal Dusapin.
At number 8th, you are back at our charming Parisian hotel!
