The residence of the Russian ambassador in France is located in the ancient villa, the Hotel Villa d'Estrees. This building was constructed by Robert de Cotte, one of the leading architects of the Age of Regency, for the countess d'Estrées in 1711-1713. Afterwards the palace had several owners, the last of whom was Marquis de Touresol, who sold the villa to the Russian government in 1864. The Russian embassy was situated there till the October revolution. The last Russian emperor, Nicholas II, stayed in the mansion in 1896, while participating in the ceremonial laying of the Alexander III bridge over the Siene.
The embassy of the USSR, headed by the first ambassador Leonid Krasin, was housed in the same building after the establishment of diplomatic relations between the USSR and France in 1924. During World War II the mansion was occupied by the German occupation authorities. When the new Soviet embassy building on Lann Boulevard was finished in 1977, the Hotel d'Estree became the residence of the Ambassador and distinguished guests. Official functions are held there.
The Villa is of great historical and artistic value. It is listed as a monument subject to preservation.
The restoration and reconstruction of the mansion in 1979-1981, returned it to the looks of the previous century. The main sightseeing attraction of the Hotel d'Estree is the tapestry "Heroic Acts of Alexander the Great", dating back to the 18th century. It was manufactured in Lyons as one of the 14 tapestries for the Louvre. Only four of them survived. The French offered to purchase the tapestry in return for free restoration of the mansion, but the Soviet government turned them down.
The layout of the mansion, located in the aristocratic suburb of Saint-Germain, is typical of the city palaces of the 18th century. A ceremonial courtyard is in front of the building, and a garden in the French style is at the back. The central building is accompanied by two auxiliary wings. It is built in the classical architectural style, being only slightly changed by a glassed-in canopy of the late 19th century. The interior is designed in the style of the Second Empire (mid-19th century). Paintings by Aivazovsky and other 19th century Russian artists are displayed in the Green Room. The furniture is mostly in the style of Louis ХVI.