The Building: A Brief History

For the past 71 years, the Embassy of Liberia in Paris has been housed in an elegant Hôtel Particulier, designed by architect Galand and built in 1879 by contractor Brochon. The original owner, Mr. Jacques-Siméon Valentin, acquired the land on December 2, 1876, before commissioning the construction of the building.

This historic residence consists of two buildings spanning a total of 651 square meters:

The Malesherbes Square building was constructed using cut stone from Parisian quarries, a hallmark of the Haussmannian architectural style of the late 19th century. It originally featured two main floors and a third-floor attic with wood paneling, a billiards room, a glass-ceiling gallery, and servants’ quarters.

After Jacques-Siméon Valentin passed away on October 4, 1881, his brother Roger-Victor Valentin inherited the estate. On August 12, 1902, he sold it to Frédéric Simon, a manufacturer and a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour.

In February 1913, Frédéric Simon transferred ownership to Mr. Auervach, the last French owner of the estate.

Liberia’s Acquisition of the Property

On December 2, 1952, President William V.S. Tubman appointed J. Emery Knight as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Liberia to France, coinciding with Liberia’s 106th Independence Anniversary.

At the time, the Liberian Embassy was located at 15 bis Victor Hugo Avenue in Boulogne-Billancourt.

On August 11, 1953, Ambassador J. Emery Knight finalized the acquisition of the Hôtel Particulier through a property exchange, trading the Victor Hugo Avenue building for the property at Square Malesherbes and Rue Jacques Bingen. In addition, the Republic of

Liberia paid 61,575,000 old French francs (equivalent to approximately €93,895 in 1953). Adjusted for inflation, this amount would be around €958,500 in 2024.

Following the acquisition:

• The Jacques Bingen Street building was designated as the Chancellery (official diplomatic offices).
• The General Catroux Square building became the Ambassador’s residence.

Current Status of the Embassy

Today, both the Liberian Ambassador’s official residence and the Chancellery are housed within the General Catroux Square building, following the sale of the Jacques Bingen Street Chancellery in 1991 during the Liberian Civil War.

Currently, this Hôtel Particulier serves as:

✔ The Embassy of Liberia in France

✔ The Consulate of Liberia

✔ The Permanent Delegation of Liberia to UNESCO

The current Ambassador and embassy staff remain committed to preserving this historic site, ensuring that it is properly decorated and furnished in accordance with its historical significance. The interior features furniture by Napoleon III and Louis-Philippe, reflecting both its rich past and Liberia’s longstanding diplomatic presence in France.