The New York herald., 1922-05-07

American Tourists Bring
Back Gay Life to Paris
Restaurants and Midnight Dancing Houses Filled
With Sojourners-New Taxes Greatly Increase
Price of Food at the Dining Places.
ny MAY BIRKHEAD.

Americans who were here last year when
the dollar was worth fifteen francs.
would find travelling elsewhere more at
tractive since prices in France have re-
mained as they were with the low ex-
change when they should be decreased
as the franc has become one-third more
valuable. There Is still the same old
talk OF killing the goose that laid the
golden egg. but every boat continues to
bring its load and the hotels are booked
up for weeks in advance and 1t is
already difficult to md accommodations
anywhere. though the season is just
opened.
The Americans who have been COM
Ing to Paris every spring for some years
are finding their membership In clubs
most convenient now in the matter of
prices for meals. Unfortunately there
are too few clubs for them. The Travel-
lers Club In the Avenue des Champs
Elysees and the Union Interalliee are
the only two which are open to foreign
members, and both have their quota of
Americans with long waiting lists. Tho
Union Interalliee having both women
and men members and being one OF the
most exclusive of the Partisan clubs,
has become exceptionally smart and.
therefore, difficult for membership
The Saturday night balls there ara
particularly brilliant. and just now, es-
pecialy. the club is being very much
discussed owing to it's litigation in
which it's neighbors are concerned. It's
location in the Faubourg Saint-Honore,
few doors from the Elysee Palace,
which is the residence OF the President
of the French Republic, and near the
beautiful British Embassy, IS always
OF great interest to the stranger in
Paris. 1t formerly was the residence
Of the Baron Henri de Rothschild. who
shared it during the war as club for
the officers of the Allies. The club was
such a success that Marshal Foch, who
still is its president. suggested that 10
should be continued as a social club. the
Cercle Interallfe. AS soon as the new
mansion Of the Baron de Rothschild.
which was then under construction, was
finished he was willing to sell his for
mer residence to be maintained a. a
permanent club.
This mansion and those on either side
of 1t have long been tho abode of tho
aristocracy of France, and they are
known as among the most historic Of
the palatial residences Of the Faubourg
Saint-Honore. The litigation in which
are concerned the club. Baron Henri de
Rothschild and NJ. Pillet-wiil, who re-
sides at No. 81, just next to the club.
Is in connection with these two historic
houses. Nos. 81 and 33 Faubourg Saint
Honore, and Is the result Of tho clubs
having built an extra room, which is
nothing moro than q covered terrace on
the garden.
History OF tho Two HOUSES.
The proprietor next door contends
nIaw - ~ - 40
gardens and through that tho discussion
has grown and members are wondering
II they are to be deprived of thfa long
dining hall which serves a. such q su-
perb ballroom on tho most picturesque
garden in Paris. THE New YORK HERALD
OF PARIS published, q few days ago. tho
following interesting history of these
two houses which are concerned In the
litigation. No. 81. now the Pillet-Will
home. was first built In 1718 by Blouin.
valet Of Louis XIV, who became veal
thy and influential being .uhseauentiy
named Governor OF Versailles and of
Marty. Like Oliver. tho barber of Kins
Louis XII, Blouin was quite 4 power
behind the throne. IN that. because OF
his constant nearness to the King, he
was much favored and used by high
dignitaries for purpose OF court intrigue,
and he was quick witted and diplomatic
enough to take care that everything he
did was In favor of his own fortunes.
Mile Mignard. celebrated beauty of the
Grand Steele. was at one time his mis-
tress, and when she became Marqulss
de Feuqnieres It was strange coinci'
dence that she should be his neishbor
at No. 27, when. after the death OF his
master. the valet built his house In the
Faubourg Saint Honore.
After Blouin's death the mansion be-
came the property I'm 1850 OF Gen. de
Marbeuf, Governor of Corsica. and then,
in 1900 when 1t was one of the most
beautiful residences of the capital. Jo-
seph Bonaparte occupied 1t. Napoleon
afterward gave It to Marshal Suchet as
a wedding present.
No. 80, the present Cercle intcraine
building. dates from about the same
time as No. 81, the first owner being
Jean Chevalier. wro was President OF
the Paris Parliament when Louis XIV
made his famous appearance In MS
hunting boots and crop In hand. Then
camc several tenants together-Presi-
dent Montigny, Cnevalier's successor;
Prince d'Egmont and M. de Gubriant.
After the house had been long occupied
following the revolution. tenants OF no
great note came during the Restoration.
after which the mansion became the
RUSSIAN lruDdbsy, anu Teftiduicu 90 otNh
until Baron de Rothschild bought ~
Tho gardens OF this residence extend
back to the Avenue Gabriel. and 1t
was because theso grounds had been
built upon that the Pillet-Will family
took legal action.
On each side OF the two houses mem
toned are other famous homes. and all
were built about the same time--durtng
the first quarter Of the eighteenth con-
tury. At that time tho Faubourg Saint
Honore was known as the Chaussee du
Roule, being the main road leading to
the village Roule of old. whose name
and situation are now recalled by tho
church of Saint Philippe du Roulc. The
park grounds of the Champs Elysces ex-
tended as far as the road, until man.
slons were built. The avenue des
Champs Eiysees itself was then called
the Grand Allie du Roule. and even
sixty years ago the Faubourg Saint
Honore was still known as the Faubourg
Saint Roule. Among the early eight
eenth century houses here are No. 80,
built by Mazin In ITO for the Due do
Charost. later the homo OF Princesse
Pauline Borghese, Napoleon's sister, and
row the British Embassy; No. q, built
hy Laussurance In 17l9 for Duchesse de-
Rohan M Montbazon.