Castel Béranger, located at 14 rue de la Fontaine in Paris’ 16th arrondissement, is an iconic Art Nouveau residential building designed by Hector Guimard between 1895 and 1898. It was the first structure in Paris built entirely in the Art Nouveau style, characterized by organic forms, floral motifs, and intricate decorative details such as wrought iron balconies, stained glass windows, and colorful mosaics.
Commissioned by businessman Charles-Louis-Armand Béranger, the building originally faced skepticism for its eccentric design but later gained recognition, winning Paris’ “most beautiful facades” competition in 1898. Guimard’s design extended beyond architecture to include furniture and interior elements, emphasizing a cohesive artistic vision inspired by nature and Victor Horta’s work in Belgium.
Today, Castel Béranger is a classified historical monument and a celebrated example of Art Nouveau’s legacy in architecture