(Community Matters) Ambassador Rivkin grew up the son of a US ambassador and lived in France many times prior to this post. He was CEO of the Jim Henson Company before his unanimous confirmation as President Obama’s ambassador to France. His chief of staff, Daniel Dozier, is a friend and gave us a tour of the residence this morning.
Baroness de Pontalba, Micaela Leonarda Almonester, a privileged Spaniard who lived in New Orleans, built the current residence and then sold it to Baron Edmond de Rothschild who added its two wings.
Daniel was showing us the original parlour. The State Department has repurchased and restored all but one of her original lacquer pieces.
In some of the Rothschild added rooms, entire walls were purchased & dismantled from historical mansions being demolished as the boulevards were built.
Charles & Stephen in the Samuel Bernard salon (I thought he said Sarah Bernhardt)
Daniel & Tana
the private dining room
the Presidential bedroom
The Obamas stayed here during their visit
back of the residence
Nearly two acres of exquisite gardens, including a newly created organic vegetable and herb garden
Community Matters 