Hôtel de la Marine

Look up at those Corinthian columns and the graceful loggia stretching across the facade. What you're seeing is one of the most eventful buildings in all of France, and for over two centuries, almost nobody was allowed inside.

Built in 1774 to house the royal crown jewels and furniture, the Hôtel de la Marine barely survived the Revolution before becoming the headquarters of the French Navy. It stayed off-limits to the public until 2021. Two hundred years of admirals and ministers making decisions behind walls that no tourist had ever seen.

In September 1792, forty thieves scaled this very facade, broke through a hatch, and walked off with nearly 30 million francs worth of jewels, including the famous Regent Diamond. The hatch they forced open is still visible today. Their leaders were later executed, becoming the first people ever guillotined on the square right in front of you.

Behind the wall of the diplomatic salon sits a narrow niche, just wide enough for one person to press an ear to. Diplomats discussed sensitive matters while someone listened, hidden behind the fireplace.

In 1848, slavery was abolished across all French colonies in one of the gilded rooms overlooking this square. In 1944, the last German soldiers surrendered here, having spent the entire occupation watching through slits in those very shutters for approaching French troops.

We could write an entire book about what happened within these walls, and honestly, someone probably should.