The Embassy of France is a building of late neoclassicism, with many eclectic elements.
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The Embassy of France is a three-storey building of late neoclassicism, with many eclectic elements and was designed by Anastasios Metaxas. It has been renovated several times over the years.
It was built as the residence of Charles Merlin, great-grandson of the famous French Revolution figure Merlin de Douai, with the aim of housing the French embassy. That is why it is also known as the Douai Mansion. Charles Merlin was the British consul in Greece. His son, also Charles, was one of the first portrait photographers. But what does the Merlin family have in common with oranges? One of the sons of Charles the senior was the first to cultivate the well-known variety of oranges in Corfu that now bears their name.
Yohalas T., Kafetzaki Τ., (2013), Αθήνα, Ιχνηλατώντας την πόλη με οδηγό την ιστορία και τη λογοτεχνία [Athens, Tracing the city guided by history and literature], ESTIA Bookstore
National Research Foundation, (d.u.), Αρχαιολογία της πόλης των Αθηνών, [Archaeology of the city of Athens], in
https://archaeologia.eie.gr/archaeologia/gr/arxeio_more.aspx?id=32
Last visit 9/8/2025
Zivas D.A.., (2012), Αρχιτεκτονικός Οδηγός Αθηνών, [Architectural Guide of Athens], Cultural Foundation of Pireos Group
1893 Beginning of construction.
1894 Completion.
1896 The embassy was housed.
1914 Bought by the French State.
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