Avenue d’Eylau: History, Notable Residents and the Real Estate Market in One of the Most Refined Streets of the 16th Arrondissement

Avenue d’Eylau is one of the most elegant and harmonious streets in Paris’s 16th arrondissement. Positioned between the solemnity of Avenue Kléber, the grandeur of Avenue d’Iéna and the residential charm of Avenue Victor-Hugo, it embodies a refined, discreet prestige sought after by families, diplomats, artists and investors looking for an exceptional property in western Paris.

Less famous to the general public but highly coveted by connoisseurs, Avenue d’Eylau benefits from an outstanding location between the Trocadéro, place de Mexico and the upscale streets of northern Passy. Its Haussmann buildings, townhouses, immaculate architectural lines and peaceful residential atmosphere make it one of Paris’s most consistent and desirable addresses.

This article explores its history, the personalities who lived there, the lifestyle it offers and the trends of its highly sought-after real-estate market.

1. Origins and Haussmannian Creation

Avenue d’Eylau was laid out in the second half of the 19th century, during the major urban transformations of Paris. Designed as an elegant residential artery connecting the Trocadéro to the Victor-Hugo district, it was meant to provide a smooth, uninterrupted perspective lined with classic stone buildings.

Its name refers to the Battle of Eylau, a French military victory in 1807, placing it in the tradition of Parisian streets named after Napoleonic events.

From the beginning, the avenue distinguished itself through: • controlled and harmonious urban planning • carefully aligned Haussmann façades • a quiet, upscale residential identity • strategic positioning in the northern 16th arrondissement • a clientele composed of affluent families, diplomats and intellectuals

It is an avenue conceived for comfort and distinction, less bustling than the major nearby axes, and especially pleasant to live in.

2. An Elegant and Highly Desirable Residential Axis

Unlike monumental avenues such as Kléber or Foch, Avenue d’Eylau was never designed to impress. Its charm lies in: • a human scale • calm, tree-lined sidewalks • elegant buildings • proximity to the Trocadéro • refined local shops and restaurants • a bourgeois, international, family-oriented demographic

The neighbourhood appeals to: • Parisian families • expatriates • diplomats • liberal professionals • art lovers living between Trocadéro and Passy • long-term investors seeking a safe asset

It is also exceptionally well connected, with several metro lines nearby, and benefits from proximity to renowned schools — one of the reasons the area is so popular with families.

3. Notable Figures Who Lived on Avenue d’Eylau

Although discreet, Avenue d’Eylau has been home to several important personalities in literature, politics, diplomacy and the arts.

Most notable among them:

• Victor Hugo France’s most famous writer lived in an apartment on Avenue d’Eylau at the end of his life. He died there in 1885. This event strongly shaped the cultural identity of the street. Shortly afterward, the part of the avenue where he resided was renamed Avenue Victor-Hugo.

• Frédéric Passy Economist, pacifist and the first Nobel Peace Prize laureate, he stayed in a townhouse in the Eylau area, contributing to the intellectual aura of the avenue.

• Diplomats and political figures Several embassies and consulates located around the Trocadéro house diplomats in the Haussmann buildings of Avenue d’Eylau.

• Artists and patrons The avenue historically attracted creators, collectors and patrons connected to the cultural institutions of the area.

• Prominent bourgeois families Numerous banking and industrial families owned reception apartments or townhouses on the street.

These personalities give Avenue d’Eylau its identity: discreet, intellectual, cultured and deeply Parisian.

4. Architecture: Haussmannian Refinement at Its Best

Avenue d’Eylau showcases classic Haussmannian elegance with remarkable consistency. Typical architectural features include:

• stone façades • sculpted balconies • continuous filigree ironwork • large arched doors • high, ornate cornices • impressive entry halls • courtyards with trees and gardens

Apartments on the avenue commonly offer: • ceiling heights exceeding 3 meters • double or triple reception rooms • herringbone parquet flooring • original moldings • marble fireplaces • bedrooms facing peaceful courtyards • large separate kitchens • balconies or terraces on upper floors

Townhouses are extremely rare and considered among the most coveted properties in the entire 16th arrondissement.

5. A Quiet, Secure and Sophisticated Lifestyle

Avenue d’Eylau offers an outstanding quality of life. Its proximity to: • the Trocadéro • the Trocadéro Gardens • the rue de Longchamp • Avenue Victor-Hugo • the Passy district • Avenue Kléber

creates a uniquely pleasant environment.

Residents appreciate: • rare calm for such a central location • family-friendly atmosphere • high-end food shops • elegant restaurants • reinforced security thanks to diplomatic presence • excellent schools • superb architecture • walkability and convenience

Many residents settle in the area for the long term due to its comfort, security and charm.

6. The Real-Estate Market

Avenue d’Eylau’s real-estate market is extremely sought after because of: • its rarity • its consistent architectural quality • sustained family demand • proximity to the Trocadéro • outstanding long-term investment stability • international appeal

Most desirable properties include: • 2- to 4-bedroom family apartments • upper-floor units with balconies • bright corner apartments • architect-renovated homes • townhouses • properties with views toward the Trocadéro in adjacent streets

Low turnover enhances its status as a secure, premium residential market.

7. Real-Estate Prices on Avenue d’Eylau

Prices per square meter on Avenue d’Eylau rank among the highest in the northern 16th arrondissement, though slightly below the ultra-prime levels of avenues such as Foch.

Price variations depend on: • floor level • light and exposure • renovation quality • building prestige • size and configuration • presence of a balcony • proximity to the Trocadéro

Large Haussmann apartments fall within the higher range of the market. Upper floors with balconies or open views reach particularly high valuations, especially if recently renovated to modern standards.

Townhouses and reception apartments represent the top tier of pricing due to their extreme rarity.

Overall, Avenue d’Eylau is considered one of the safest and most resilient luxury real-estate markets in western Paris.

Conclusion

Avenue d’Eylau is one of the most refined addresses in the 16th arrondissement. Its history, its association with Victor Hugo, its prestigious residents, its Haussmann architecture and its proximity to the Trocadéro make it a highly desirable area.

Combining calm, prestige, security, architectural beauty and quality of life, it offers rare long-term stability — a signature trait of the most sought-after residential markets in Paris.

Avenue d’Eylau remains a timeless example of Parisian elegance.

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