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This tea pavilion is the best-kept secret of the 16th, and it's reopening soon!

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The Editor

© Musée Guimet

Just a few steps away from the Guimet Museum lies the Heidelbach Hotel: a place that pays tribute to the art of tea and Chinese imperial furniture. With its Japanese-inspired garden, the Guimet house takes you on a true journey through Asia, thanks to the history of tea, which is much more fascinating than it seems. Come experience a genuine immersion in Asian arts during its reopening for the European Night of Museums!

Hidden behind a Haussmann-style façade on Avenue de Iéna, this place is one of the most unique spots in the capital. Closed for several months for renovation, this timeless venue finally reopens on May 23rd. It's the perfect opportunity to discover an art form still unknown to the general public and to enjoy a breath of fresh air away from the hustle and bustle of Paris.


But what is a tea pavilion doing in the heart of Paris ?

Once the residence of two art lovers, Alfred-Samuel d’Heidelbach and Julie Picard, the private mansion became part of the Guimet Museum in 1991. Originally a Buddhist Pantheon showcasing the hierarchy and deities of Japanese Buddhism, the tea pavilion only made its debut ten years later, in 2001.

Designed and built by Japanese artisans in the middle of a Japanese-style garden, this pavilion is intended to host cultural events and exhibitions that celebrate the art of tea.

Real tea ceremonies to introduce Parisians to the refinement of Japanese living. Starting from its reopening on May 23, you can explore the place by reservation, with a guide, and even take part in tastings to fully experience it.

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Une publication partagée par LuxElite (@abdon.floresdl)


Did we make your mouth water?

To dive a little deeper, it’s good to know that tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world, right after water. Born in China, this delightful drink quickly spread to East Asia, then to the Middle East, before making its way to Europe and eventually America.

How was it discovered? There isn’t an official story, just a Chinese legend… which is exactly what we might have suspected. The sovereign who invented agriculture and was an expert in medicinal plants supposedly chewed on a plant that made him feel a little… let’s say, heavy-headed (let’s all pretend not to understand). While resting his head against a tree to regain his strength, some leaves fell on him. Just like any normally functioning person…He would have tasted them, and suddenly, by miracle, he would have regained his senses!

Anyway, to find out what happens next, we invite you to visit the Guimet house. And if the story of tea doesn't excite you that much, we still recommend it, if only for its bucolic setting that gives the feeling of going away for the weekend, even if just for a few minutes.

Maison Guimet (Heidelbach Hotel)
19 Avenue d'Iéna — 16th
Reopening on May 23, 2026 
More info