Paris1972-Versailles2003

Well I knew had written a post on it and things have change sadly, so need to update, One building went several times on private function as an American in Paris with many nice memories and good friends was the Fondation Mona Bismarck where many American clubs and institution held their home thanks to the generosity of the foundation. Beautiful surrounding, and marvelous terrace garden. Later ,years the fondation decided to turn all its efforts towards the arts ,and the clubs/Institutions there left elsewhere in Paris. It was by that time my time to leave my eternal Paris and dear Versailles ! out to the Morbihan/Bretagne, but still the memories will be forever. I like to tell you about it and the latest news on the former Mona Bismarck American Center for the Arts and Culture in Paris !! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

The Mona Bismarck American Center, founded by Mona Bismarck, aims to offer the public a wide variety of American artistic and cultural experiences through innovative programming choices, in the heart of Paris. The new Mona Bismarck American Center was launched in 2011, building on the foundations of the former Mona Bismarck Foundation whose public activities began in 1986 following the death of its founder and patron. For the record I joined activities here since 2004, Philanthropist Mona Bismarck has made many donations, including the Bismarck Sapphire Necklace. In order to perpetuate her work, she bequeathed her mansion and the majority of her property to the Mona Bismarck Foundation, with the aim of reinforcing the Franco-American friendship and understanding through art and culture. It is located at 34 Avenue de New-York in the 16éme arrondissement or district of Paris, overlooking the Seine river.  

Located on the banks of the Seine river, opposite the Eiffel Tower, the mansion was built at the end of the 19C. At the end of the 1950’s, the house was adapted to the needs of the Bismarck couple. The hotel was featured in an edition of Vogue fashion magazine in 1928. The hotel was built in 1890 inspired by the classical French architecture. On the avenue de New York , the stone façade is punctuated by ionic pilasters. At the back, the house overlooks a terrace and a pleasant private garden. Inside, the hotel retains beautiful lounges decorated with antique woodwork or rooms decorated with Chinese wallpapers with colorful and intricate motifs, with its chandeliers and terrace opening onto a private garden, the estate welcomes the cultural events offered by the Center. The former Mona Bismarck American Center organized annual exhibitions, in collaboration with renowned cultural institutions, be they French, American or world . The exhibitions focus on a particular artist or theme, and cover a wide spectrum of contemporary artistic styles and movements. Sadly never thought of taking pictures there as many times in my private gathering was not allowed, The Hôtel Mona Bismarck at 34 avenue de New-York 16éme arrondissement of Paris ,facing the Eiffel Tower, this magnificent Hôtel Mona Bismarck has the elegance of noble residences where time has stood still. Golden moldings, trumeau fireplaces and classic parquet floors set the tone of this private hotel which also lives to the rhythm of exceptional artistic programs. With a natural sensitivity to events relating to the Arts, the place offers a wonderful source of inspiration through its row of period salons, its outdoor courtyard and its popular garden: filming, parades, concerts and photo shoots. The Mona Bismark hotel is a magnificent neo-classical style residence which has 400 m² of private garden, and is ideally located in one of the most beautiful districts of Paris, in a breathtaking face-to-face with the Eiffel Tower and a stone’s throw from the Palais de Tokyo. It was or is a magical place indeed chic like Paris !

Who was this lady well a bit more on just Mona !!  Mona von Bismarck (aka Mona Bismarck), was born Margaret Edmona Travis Strader on February 5, 1897 in Louisville, Kentucky USA , and died on July 10, 1983 in Paris, is an American socialite, fashion icon and member of the Cafe Society. In 1933, she was voted “the most elegant woman in the World” by Chanel, Molineux, Vionnet, Lelong and Lanvin. Throughout her life, Mona Bismarck maintained privileged relationships with large public figures such as President Roosevelt, President Eisenhower, the Duke of Windsor, Princess Grace of Monaco, and personalities of the Arts such as Greta Garbo, Cristobal Balenciaga, Hubert de Givenchy, Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, Paul Newman, etc. As a philanthropist and patron, she founded the Mona Bismarck American Center in Paris.  Mona von Bismarck bears the name of the fourth of her five husbands, Count Édouard von Bismarck, grandson of Chancellor Otto von Bismarck of Germany. She is sometimes dubbed the “Countess of Kentucky”. In the field of art history, she is known as “Mrs. Harrison Williams”, named after her third husband, because of the portrait that Salvador Dalí made of her under this title in 1943.  She became Countess Mona von Bismarck, and the couple lived mainly in Paris in their apartment at the Hôtel Lambert and later in the mansion of 34, New York Avenue and in Capri, Italy. Upon her death, Mona von Bismarck bequeathed a good part of her fortune to the creation of a foundation which was established in 1986. The foundation had become the Mona Bismarck American Center for Art & Culture. This cultural center aims to promote dialogue between the French and Americans around art and culture.

The latest news is that it is finally closed, It will continue as part of another institution that I have visited several times and again took no pictures as in those days were into post cards ,,,, The American Center’s leadership has decided to donate the proceeds from the sale of its property to a close institutional ally and non-profit organization , the American Library in Paris. The American Library in Paris, founded in 1920, is the largest English language lending library on the European continent, with a collection of 100,000 print books, an extensive American periodical archive, and digital resources. It hosts over three hundred cultural programs each year, including talks with leading American thinkers, such as Viet Thanh Nguyen, Ta-Nehisi Coates, Jacqueline Woodson, and Richard Russo, at its location close to the Eiffel Tower at 10, rue du Général Camou in the 7éme arrondissement , (you can see the Eiffel tower from its front door) The American Center will then cease operations (subject to the approval of the Office of the New York Attorney General) and two of its Trustees will join the American Library’s Board of Trustees. This is done, When I went to the library I could find parking on street or took the metro École Militaire line 8 or my regular bus as left me near my office too bus 82,

The Paris tourist office on the Mona Bismarck mansion : https://parisjetaime.com/eng/culture/american-center-for-art-and-culture-hotel-mona-bismarck-p1205

The official American center for the arts aka Mona Bismarck : https://americancenterparis.org/

The official American Library in Paris : https://americanlibraryinparis.org/

There you go folks ,another nostalgic monument for me in my eternal Paris, The area affords a lovely walk from Trocadéro down Avenue de New York facing the Seine river,love it. Again, hope you enjoy the post on the former Mona Bismarck American Center in Paris as I.

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!