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Key figures

Origin and history

The Red Pagoda, located 48 rue de Courcelles in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, is an atypical historical monument built during the 2nd quarter of the 20th century. The building stands out for its hybrid structure: a four-storey pagoda erected on the foundations of a former Napoleon III-style hotel. This ambitious project, carried out in 1926, aimed to create a space dedicated to extreme oriental art, sponsored by a Chinese antique dealer and designed by architect Fernand Bloch. The integration of Asian architectural elements into the Parisian landscape makes it a unique testimony to the cultural exchanges of the time.

Inside the Red Pagoda reveals an exceptional decorative richness, reflecting various influences. On the ground floor, two lounges are decorated with a frieze of tanks and a ceiling with staff boxes, where stylized Chinese dragons dominate the space. The first floor houses two rooms covered with 17th and 18th century Chinese lacquer panels from Shansi Province, while the fourth floor features a gallery entirely composed of 19th-century woodwork and sculptures from a Rajasthan temple. These elements, combined with the elevator cage and its preserved decorations, illustrate a bold fusion between East and West.

Classified as a Historical Monument by order of 9 December 2002 (amended in 2006), the Red Pagoda owes its protection to the quality of its facades, roofs, and interior decorations, including the "cavalier" room, lacquered rooms, and the Indian gallery. Although owned by a private company, its inscription underlines the heritage importance of this place, where architecture becomes a bridge between cultures. The accuracy of its location, noted as "a priori satisfactory", and its official address (48 rue de Courcelles) make it an accessible landmark in the Parisian landscape.

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