Café Rose Bakery _ Maison de Balzac

Balzac's house

Around the corner from the Place du Trocadéro, discover this charming Parisian house where the emblematic French author edited his masterpiece, “The Human Comedy.”

  1. What to see and do
  2. Museums and monuments
  3. Museums and cultural sites
  4. Balzac's house


Description

Honoré de Balzac took refuge in this house in the old village of Passy to escape from his creditors in 1840, when he was 41 years old, and stayed there 7 years. Occupying only a few rooms, he penned the last two volumes of one of the most important works of French literature, La Comédie Humaine, before editing it in its entirety (over 90 volumes) in those same rooms. Make the most of your time in Paris by visiting the place where some of the nineteenth century’s most beautiful pages were written.

Balzac's house, the setting for a literary masterpiece

Behind the green shutters, the scarlet-walled rooms have kept their original scenography, immersing the visitor in the inner world of Honoré de Balzac. Thematically organised into family and relatives, portraits of Balzac, edited proofs and characters from “The Human Comedy,” everyday objects like his cane, his writer’s desk, as well as numerous paintings, drawings and sculptures, give an insightful glimpse into the author’s daily life.

The most impressive item is undoubtedly the family tree of all the characters from “The Human Comedy.” No less than 1,000 people appear on the chart which is some 14.5 metres long! If you don’t have time to contemplate this colossal fresco, a pamphlet version is available for sale. Afterwards, visit the library to admire the manuscripts, original editions from the period, as well as bound copies, annotated or signed by Balzac himself.

A Rose Bakery café in the garden

The green garden of the Maison Balzac invites you to relax and enjoy a gourmet break in the sun, with a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, settle down in this peaceful haven to order salads, pastries, hot dishes, cold or hot drinks, as you wish. The Rose Bakery tearoom revisits English gastronomy and offers entirely organic and homemade cuisine. A real treat!

Keep your trip going with the Museums et cultural sites in Paris Region.

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Community facilities

Access and contact

47 rue Raynouard
75016 Paris 16ème

    Metro : Passy (Line 6) La Muette (Line 9) RER Boulainvilliers (Line C) Bus : 32, 50, 70, 72

    Days and opening hours

    From 01/01 to 3112 between 10 am and 6 pm. Closed on Monday.

    Prices

    • Free

    Tour

    Spoken languages

    • French

    Guided tour languages

    • English
    • French

    Documentation languages (home)

    • English
    • Spanish
    • French

    Bulletin board languages

    • English
    • Spanish
    • French
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    Accessibility

    See on accessible.net

    Access

    Pratical informations

    Extérieur
    • access to the establishment: graspable outside call button
    • floor-level pathways
    • pathways that change levels are offset by a sloping surface
    Parking
    • adapted access control to the car park
    • reserved and adapted parking space located close to the entrance of the site
    • parking spaces laid out and connected to the road or building by an accessible pathway
    Accueil
    • reception desk easily identifiable and accessible
    • free admission for one accompanying person
    • free admission on presentation of proof of entitlement
    • the accessible entrance is the main entrance
    • the accessible entrance is the secondary entrance (indicated)
    • staff informed or trained
    • specific tariff policy
    • revolving entrance door
    • automatic entrance door
    • manual entrance door
    Information
    • accessible information plates
    • all documentation graspable
    Vestiaire
    • accessible cloakroom
    Équipements
    • multimedia content access system
    • spaces equipped with reserved spaces and adapted to people in wheelchairs
    • floor-level establishment
    • wheelchair loan
    • seated area available
    • seated areas available (several spread out across the entire site)
    Sanitaires
    • présence d’un lave main dans les sanitaires adaptés
    • accessible communal toilets
    • toilets: transfer direction onto the toilet seat to the right
    • toilets: transfer direction onto the toilet seat to the left
    Escalier
    • Communal staircase adapted for secure movement
    Ascenseur
    • adapted elevator
    • elevator
    Parking
    • visual intercom
    Accueil
    • acceo: instant speech transcription and visio-interpretation in French sign language (LSF)
    • reservation/contact via SMS and/or email
    • reservation possible by webcam
    Information
    • staff trained in French sign language (LSF)
    Signalétique
    • uniform signage to help people find their way around
    • text/image signage
    Équipements
    • performance or tour assistance aids
    • visual alarm with flashing light in isolated spaces
    • intercom equipped with a hearing assistance system with a magnetic loop
    • audiovisuals are in French sign language (LSF)
    • subtitled audiovisuals
    • visioguide with overlay in French sign language (LSF)
    • subtitled visioguide
    Ascenseur
    • adapted elevator
    Visite
    • audioguides equipped with a volume control device
    • audioguides equipped with induction loops
    • independent visit possible
    • guided tour in French sign language (LSF)
    • guided tour in international sign language (ISL)
    • guided tours with lip reading
    • guided tours with an amplifying device
    • guided tours with a magnetic loop device
    Extérieur
    • exterior pathways identifiable by touch
    • exterior pathways visually identifiable
    • exterior lighting control system in communal areas
    Accueil
    • interior pathways identifiable by touch
    • interior pathways visually identifiable
    Équipements
    • audioguide with description elements
    • audioguide with guidance elements
    • Braille documentation
    • documentation in enlarged characters
    • swell paper documentation
    • floor-level establishment
    • offset or no obstacles at face height
    • navigation assistance tool (e.g. map/model - in relief/large characters/contrasting colours)
    • possibility to control the lighting
    • magnifying glass loan
    • glass surfaces identifiable via contrasted elements in relation to the immediate surroundings
    • audiodescription system
    Ascenseur
    • elevator with audio announcements for each floor
    • elevator with identifiable call buttons
    Visite
    • Legible information plates
    • specific accessible information plates
    • tactile tour
    Extérieur
    • the dangers identified have been addressed
    Information
    • brochures/documentations classified by topic
    • simplified adapted documentation (illustration through images, photos, drawings)
    Signalétique
    • adapted signage
    Visite
    • adapted activities
    • educational workshops
    • adapted room cards
    • specific tours
    Extérieur
    • floor-level pathways
    Accueil
    • adapted opening hours (morning performances)
    • children's programme
    • childcare service
    • family tariffs/free admission for children
    Information
    • secure and closed establishment
    Vestiaire
    • large lockers or left luggage lockers for pushchairs
    • possibility to leave pushchairs at the cloakroom
    Équipements
    • floor-level establishment
    • baby carrier loan
    • pushchair loan
    Sanitaires
    • toilet facilities suitable for children (toilet seat and washbasin height)
    • changing table
    Visite
    • children's/family applications for the tour
    • audioguides with a children's circuit
    • children's visit booklets/games
    • pushchairs accepted for the tour
    • visioguides with a children's circuit
    Extérieur
    • floor-level pathways
    • Pathways that change levels are offset by a sloping surface
    Accueil
    • pets accepted on site and during guided tours
    • reception desk easily identifiable and accessible
    • reception/information desk equipped with a sound amplification system
    • free admission for persons aged over 60
    Information
    • Offer adapted to seniors
    Vestiaire
    • cloakroom
    Équipements
    • documentation in enlarged characters
    • floor-level establishment
    • wheelchair loan
    • magnifying glass loan
    • cane wheelchair loan
    • seated areas available (several spread out across the entire site)
    Sanitaires
    • horizontal support rail
    • diagonal support rail to enable the seated person to raise themselves up easily
    Escalier
    • communal staircase adapted for secure movement
    • private staircase adapted for secure movement
    Ascenseur
    • stairs compensated for by a lift or an elevator
    Visite
    • audioguides equipped with a volume control device
    • audioguides equipped with induction loops
    • Legible information plates
    • Specific accessible information plates (large characters)

    47 rue Raynouard
    75016 Paris 16ème

    • Copyright image:
    • Dominique Dugay