Passy: Balzac's house and Guimard's curves

Stops along the way

Things to notice.

1. 01

   1

   Jardins du Ranelagh

   Start in the shade of the Ranelagh gardens — chestnut avenues, a marionette theatre that's been running since the 1880s, children and dogs. The *Musée Marmottan Monet*, with the largest Monet collection anywhere, sits a few minutes north if you want to make a half-day of it.

   01

   Jardins du Ranelagh

   Start in the shade of the Ranelagh gardens — chestnut avenues, a marionette theatre that's been running since the 1880s, children and dogs. The *Musée Marmottan Monet*, with the largest Monet collection anywhere, sits a few minutes north if you want to make a half-day of it.

   ◉Street View
2. 02

   2

   Rue La Fontaine — Hector Guimard's street

   The street where Guimard concentrated his Art Nouveau output. Numbers along it — the *Hôtel Mezzara* among them — carry his iron, glass and stone in full flow. Walk it looking up; the detail is all above the shopfronts.

   02

   Rue La Fontaine — Hector Guimard's street

   The street where Guimard concentrated his Art Nouveau output. Numbers along it — the *Hôtel Mezzara* among them — carry his iron, glass and stone in full flow. Walk it looking up; the detail is all above the shopfronts.

   ◉Street View
3. 03

   3

   Castel Béranger

   Guimard's breakthrough block of flats, 1898, at 14 rue La Fontaine — the green iron gate alone is worth the trip. It's lived-in, so admire the facade and the entrance and don't try the door. This is the building that made his name.

   03

   Castel Béranger

   Guimard's breakthrough block of flats, 1898, at 14 rue La Fontaine — the green iron gate alone is worth the trip. It's lived-in, so admire the facade and the entrance and don't try the door. This is the building that made his name.

   ◉Street View
4. 04

   4

   Maison de Balzac

   The writer's house on the slope of Passy, where he wrote and hid from creditors. The museum is free, the garden is small and green and looks out over the rooftops toward the river. Sit in it; this is the calm middle of the walk.

   04

   Maison de Balzac

   The writer's house on the slope of Passy, where he wrote and hid from creditors. The museum is free, the garden is small and green and looks out over the rooftops toward the river. Sit in it; this is the calm middle of the walk.

   ◉Street View
5. 05

   5

   Rue de l'Annonciation

   The market street of old Passy village — bakers, cheesemongers, a fishmonger, the rhythm of a neighbourhood that shops on foot. Pedestrianised and gently downhill. Pick up something for later.

   05

   Rue de l'Annonciation

   The market street of old Passy village — bakers, cheesemongers, a fishmonger, the rhythm of a neighbourhood that shops on foot. Pedestrianised and gently downhill. Pick up something for later.

   ◉Street View
6. 06

   6

   Rue de Passy & Passy station

   The high street proper, busier, then the Métro at Passy on its viaduct — one of the open-air stations, with a view to the Eiffel Tower as the train pulls in. A fitting last image for a 16th walk.

   06

   Rue de Passy & Passy station

   The high street proper, busier, then the Métro at Passy on its viaduct — one of the open-air stations, with a view to the Eiffel Tower as the train pulls in. A fitting last image for a 16th walk.

   ◉Street View