Palais de la Légion d’Honneur, formerly Hôtel de Salm

This building, which was being built when Thomas Jefferson arrived in France in 1784, was to have a powerful influence on American architecture. In March 1787, Jefferson wrote that he was “violently smitten” with it. He also wrote to French architect Pierre L’Enfant, who later designed the Federal City of Washington, that the two fronts of the Hôtel de Salm were among those “celebrated fronts of modern buildings” which might serve as models for America. Jefferson himself used much of the Hôtel de Salm’s influence to design his residence in Monticello. Early in the 19th century, the Hôtel de Salm was acquired by the Legion of Honour, and the names and portraits of those who have received this decoration are displayed in the museum.