The building now housing the French Embassy was built for the Danish naval hero Niels Juel from 1683 to 1686 as the just second building on Kongens Nytorv which, inspired by the royal squares of Paris, had been laid out by Christian V of Denmark in the years following his coronation in 1670. With his victory in the Battle of Køge Bay, Niels Juel had won fame and wealth. His new mansion was designed by Lambert van Haven as an L-shaped building in the Dutch Baroque style.