Buenos Aires has many incredible palaces, but there is one that stands out from all the others because it is the Buenos Aires palace that served as inspiration for one of the most important European palaces in the world: Buckingham Palace in London.
This is the palace in Buenos Aires that served as inspiration for Buckingham Palace
There is a palace in Buenos Aires that stands out from all the others in the city because of its unique history—it ended up serving as inspiration for a king. It is the current French Embassy in Argentina, an architectural masterpiece that few know in depth but which hides unique details and a past worthy of a movie.
It all began in 1912, when Daniel Ortiz Basualdo commissioned French architect Paul Pater to design a residence that would rival the great European mansions. The result was a masterpiece of the Beaux-Arts style, featuring a slate dome, ornate salons, and an imposing scale: 1,600 m².
Inside this Beaux-Arts palace, there is a ballroom inspired by the Louis XV style, a Tudor-style library, a grand staircase with Chippendale banisters brought from London, and even a dining room that replicates the one at the Royal Palace in Oslo.
The day a king fell in love with this mansion in Buenos Aires
In 1925, the Ortiz Basualdo Palace welcomed a distinguished guest : the Prince of Wales, Edward VIII.
The Prince of Wales was fascinated by the residence during his stay in Buenos Aires, and years later, now as king, he revisited that memory and called upon the same interior designers to renovate parts of Buckingham Palace in the image and likeness of the halls of this Buenos Aires palace.
It is thus one of the buildings in South America that left its mark on one of the most important royal residences in the world.
A palace that almost vanished from the history of Buenos Aires
In 1939, the palace was acquired by the French government and has served as a diplomatic headquarters ever since. However, its history could have been very different: in the 1970s, it was on the verge of being demolished due to the widening of 9 de Julio Avenue.
Fortunately, this palace was saved and is now protected as a Site of National Artistic Interest, standing as one of Buenos Aires’ best-kept architectural secrets.
Free guided tours once a year
Every year, with the arrival of spring comes the celebration ofHeritage Week. For one weekend, the French Embassy—that is, the Ortiz Basualdo Palace—opens its doors for free guided tours so that those who love architecture and history can see this fabulous European-inspired palace firsthand.
You must always sign up to participate. We’ll let you know when the date approaches and you can visit it.
