Paris sells historic Haviland mansion on LeBonCoin to raise funds

Facing budget shortfalls, the City of Paris has put the 19th‑century Hôtel particulier Haviland up for sale on the online classifieds platform LeBonCoin. The 611 m² building, designed by architect Jules Février and once used as the Korean embassy, later housed the Claude‑Debussy Conservatory and is slated to become the headquarters of the Maison de l’Europe.

The sale will be conducted as an interactive tender: a mandatory pre‑visit is required and the first bid can be submitted at €3.3 million, inclusive of fees. The property had previously been auctioned for €4.5 million but attracted no buyer because its classification limits use to collective or public purposes, deterring commercial office proposals. Heritage advocates have expressed anger at the proposed privatization of the historic site.