Introducing the Paris branch
Nestled on the elegant Avenue Victor Hugo in Paris's exclusive 16th arrondissement, Paris Ouest Sotheby's International Realty - Victor Hugo is managed by Raphaël Sonigo and Virginie de Saint-Léger. It is dedicated to serving a demanding high-end clientele.
The “Paris Ouest Sotheby's International Realty - Victor Hugo” agency was created in 2011 by Frank Sylvaire and Paolo Fernandez. A spin-off from the “Paris Ouest Sotheby's International Realty” group of exceptional agencies, it joined the Sotheby's International Realty network the same year and quickly established itself as a major player in luxury real estate in the west of Paris.
Just a few minutes from the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe, the agency is located on Avenue Victor Hugo, one of the most popular shopping streets in the Place de l'Étoile Trocadéro, dotted with luxury boutiques and highly sought-after residences. The real estate office is tastefully decorated and inspired by the elegant design of a Parisian bourgeois apartment, featuring gold-tipped parquet flooring and delicate moldings.
The five-strong team, driven by a passion for the business, specializes in the sale of sumptuous reception apartments and private mansions overlooking the Trocadero or the Arc de Triomphe. Their command of the English language enables them to communicate easily with all types of clientele.
Thanks to an exclusive portfolio of unique properties, the agency is able to offer clients an extensive choice of private mansions, penthouses and sumptuous large-scale apartments in Haussmann-style architecture. With a surface area of 250-300 m² and an average price of 4 million euros, these exceptional properties often include a garden and terrace, complemented by luxurious amenities.
The agency has completed a number of noteworthy transactions, including the sale of an apartment on Place Beauvau opposite the Elysée Palace in 2022, and a 200 m² apartment on Avenue Victor Hugo. Boasting a wrap-around balcony, excellent orientation and elegant common areas, it has been appraised at 20,000 euros per square meter.
The Paris Ouest Victor Hugo real estate market
Remarkable transactions were carried out, with the particularity that customers do not need to borrow to buy. These very wealthy buyers can afford to buy with no conditions precedent, and on properties worth between 2 and 2.5 million euros.
Since the health crisis, French customers have shown a strong interest in acquiring high-end properties, with a preference for outdoor spaces such as garden floors or houses with terraces. However, recent months have seen a gradual return of foreign customers to Paris, which should soon outstrip demand from French customers.
French customers are looking for a primary residence or a pied-à-terre in Paris. Foreign customers, on the other hand, are most often looking for second homes. Among this prestigious international clientele, many come from the Middle East, notably Lebanon and Dubai. Although there are fewer American customers, there has been a resurgence of interest and investment from Russia.
The wide, tree-lined avenues of Gendrondel, Henri Martin and Pierre in the 16th arrondissement are particularly popular. The OECD district, renowned for its security, is home to a large number of embassies and magnificent private mansions. It is close to the Ranelagh Gardens and on the edge of the Bois de Boulogne.
Numerous celebrities live in the district to enjoy breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower or the Arc de Triomphe, large surface areas and the superb streets. This prestigious district is frequented by families of captains of industry and CAC 40 company directors. The high floors offer superb panoramic views of the capital, including emblematic historic monuments. In this high-end sector, the view criterion is a determining factor in the value of a property.
Paris Ouest Victor Hugo: history and heritage
Avenue Victor Hugo stretches from Place de Charles de Gaulle Étoile to Place Tattegrain. It is said that the famous writer lived at number 124 on this avenue. A commemorative plaque and a sculpture of his likeness highlight his former home. In 1902, an 11-metre-high bronze monument was erected in the middle of Place Victor Hugo to pay tribute to him.
With its rich cultural heritage, there are no fewer than two museums on Avenue Victor Hugo: the Ennery Museum, dedicated to Asian art, and a gallery dedicated to the luxury brand Baccarat. Beautifully crafted Haussmann-style buildings are admired for their exceptional ashlar architecture, while offering high-standard common areas with all the necessary modern comforts. It's here that you can admire some of the most beautiful buildings in Paris, in a wooded setting just a stone's throw from the Bois de Boulogne.
The district, which has been rejuvenating over the past decade, is increasingly sought-after for its high quality of life and renowned educational establishments. Chic restaurants and terraces with breathtaking views of the Eiffel Tower or Trocadéro attract a trendy family clientele, who also appreciate the pleasant nightlife. Its proximity to two gateways to the Paris ring road makes it an ideal place to visit a second home in Normandy, for example, or La Défense.
The 16th arrondissement is home to exceptional hotels such as the Saint-James, including two 5-star establishments, the George V du Plaza, on the edge of the 8th arrondissement, and the Shangri-La. At Monsieur Bleu, the terrace offers a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower. Restaurant Girafe, on Place du Trocadéro and in the heart of the Cité de l'Architecture in Paris, is a renowned Parisian restaurant.
The reputation of Sotheby's is a real asset on the market, as it is recognized by both local and foreign clients. Networked collaboration enables us to set up accreditation systems and use valuable customer recommendations to offer excellent service.