Visiting the Embassy & Ambassador's Residence~



The entrance to the US Embassy



As I mentioned, Woody's brother Richard and his wife, Judy, hold positions within the Embassy; this afforded us the opportunity for private tours of both Embassy and the Ambassador's residence.

Entering the Embassy is a true experience.  Richard told us that he would get us on the "clearance list" and that we were to meet him under the canopy in front of the Embassy.  That sounded easy enough.

As we approached Avenue Gabriel, where the Embassy is located, we noticed barriers blocking both the street and the sidewalk adjacent to the Embassy.  The "canopy" was within the barriers.  To get to the canopy, we had to pass 2 French gendarmes.  English was not the language of choice.  We managed to communicate that we had an appointment to meet someone in the Embassy.

The gendarme then spoke with the guard under the canopy.  He came over and asked us why we were there and we repeated that we were to meet someone and that our names were supposed to be on the clearance list.  He asked for our passports and returned to the desk under the canopy to consult "the list".   Soon, another guard came from the security post and took our passports back inside.  Shortly after, he returned and escorted us into the security checkpost.

We emptied our pockets, turned over the camera, received a blue claim check, answered the questions and were given our Visitor ID badges.  My purse was x-rayed and we passed through the metal detector.  Richard arrived and used his ID badge to swipe the turnstile which then allowed us to pass through.

We exited the security house , walked across the cobbled courtyard where there is a bronze statue of Benjamin Franklin, the first envoy to France in 1776-79.  We entered the Embassy, passing the Marine guard on duty, showing our badges.  Finally, we stepped into the entry foyer.   While the design style of the building is neoclassical and matches all of the other buildings on the Place de la Concorde. The style of architecture in the foyer is American colonial.  The official name of this building is The Chancery of the Embassy of the United States in Paris.

I really wish I had photos to show, they could describe the room so much better than words.
The foyer has a very official, stately, elegant appearance. Every element of the interior has some historical significance
The entry foyer is lit by 2 gilt-brass and glass octagonal lanterns; busts of George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette stand of marble columns on each side of the main door; on the walls are large portraits of the Marquis de Lafayette and the Comte de Rochambeau.  The role of France in the independence of the US is called to mind by the framed copy of the Franco-Anglo-American treaty signed in Paris and Versailles in 1783 located near the first floor elevator.
There is winding staircase to the second floor & the Ambassador's office. On one of the walls is a large Presidential seal medallion. On other walls of the staircase are portraits of George Washington and James Monroe.

Around the entry foyer there are also portraits of former ministers; Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Ben Franklin,etc and former Ambassadors; C. Douglas Dillon, Sargent Shriver, David K.E.Bruce, to a name a few.  Most of these I did not know of.  The current Ambassador is Charles Rivkin, youngest Ambassador in 60 years.
Dick showed us everything there was to see:  the Library, the TV production room, Judy's office (she was in Brussels that day~Judy is Minister-Counselor of Public Affairs,one of the 6 sections of the Embassy), the cafeteria, the gift shop, the PX (with lots of US favorites) and the Franklins, a very nice bar-lounge that is often used for special speakers or small receptions.  Dick's office was tucked away down a long hall, in the corner of a long room~his cubby hole.
As we were walking through, you could tell by the size and decor of the different offices, the rank of the person whose office it was.
We were able to visit the Ambassador's reception area which was very elegant with chandeliers and portraits etc.  But the Ambassador's office was off-limits.

After our tour, we returned to the security post and picked up the camera and passports, then the three of us went to lunch at Chez Flottes.

Ambassador's Residence

The garden side of the Ambassador's residence

The following day we met Dick at the Hotel Crillon (a 5 star hotel next to the Embassy) then proceeded from there to the Ambassador's residence for another private tour.  The security is not quite as stringent as the Embassy, I was allowed to take photographs inside the residence.  Our docent was Dawn, the wife of an Embassy official.  There were 4 of us on the tour.

The foyer and stairs leading to the second floor.

The "signing room" off to the left of the foyer.
This is where the guests would sign the guest book on the table.

This is the cloak room.  Just off to the left of where we are standing is the ladies' room.

From the cloak room you move into the ballroom.

Dawn explained that this was a multi-purpose room.  It is fitted with all kinds of projection equipment.
From the ballroom, we proceed to the 3 main salons of the residence.  The Blue room~



Baroness Micaela Almonester de Pontalba, the first resident



I loved this carpet.  All the fabrics, walls, furniture were so beautifully

 co-ordinated throughout the entire residence.

Next is the most elegant room. The Louis XVI Salon or Rothschild room.

  This room is most often used for receptions.   The Rothschilds owned the property from 1876 to 1948 when it was sold to the US government.

From here we went out to the garden.  I had commented on the garden earlier and Dawn said we could  go out and see it.

There was a vegetable garden as well..there was everything you could imagine

 and it is all used by the chef.

This brings us to the Dining Room.

I wondered why there was no table.  The room is set for the particular function at the time.

Details of the decorative moulding on the walls.

From the dining room we made our way back to the entry and climbed the stairs to the second floor, which is the Ambassador's residence.

"Eve" in the window at the base of the stairway.

On the second floor we were able to review only the Ambassador's private dining room

 and the main living area.

This was a stunning room.

This was a wonderful tour.  The interior design is so well done. We enjoyed this tour immensely.

We left Dick at the residence, he to go back to the Embassy and we headed to the Metro to go to Montmartre.  Our destination~ the Cimetiere Montmarte~Montmartre Cemetery.