Eagle House of Montmartre Hill - Commandant Henri Lachouque
The Maison des Aigles, located at 4 rue de l'Abreuvoir, is one of those hidden gems of Montmartre that many visitors pass by without noticing. It is particularly fascinating because it blends Montmartre, Napoleon, military history and unusual architecture.
Note: At the end of the article, you will find
1/ A photo gallery
2/ Nearby sights and self-guided walks
3/ Your Bonus: 5 essential tips to help you plan and enjoy your stay in Paris
A unique house in the heart of old Montmartre: the Maison des Aigles
Built in 1924, this rustic-style house blends stone, wood, and decorative elements. They evoke old Montmartre. It is located on the very picturesque rue de l'Abreuvoir, just next to the famous Maison Rose.
But it is above all the two imperial eagles flanking the entrance that catch the eye. They explain the nickname given to the house and immediately evoke the Napoleonic Empire.
The remarkable story of Henry Lachouque
The house is closely tied to Henry Lachouque (1883-1971), historian and leading expert on Napoleon and the Grande Armée.
Graduated from the Saint-Cyr Military School (Austerlitz class of 1904), he took part in the Battle of the Marne in 1914 as part of the 66th Infantry Regiment. Wounded, he had to leave the army. Officer of the Legion of Honour, recipient of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918, he founded the Association of Friends of Sainte-Hélène. He also served as deputy curator of the Malmaison Museum (Napoleon) from 1936 to 1946.
Lachouque was so passionate about the Emperor that his home became almost a Napoleonic shrine. He had amassed a collection of mementos and objects linked to Napoleon, to Joséphine and the imperial family. He also took part in the restoration of Longwood House, on Saint Helena, where Napoleon spent his final years.
As indicated by a plaque affixed to his house in Montmartre, Henri Lachouque lived in this residence located at 4 rue de l’Abreuvoir, in Montmartre.
The detail tourists absolutely must see at the Maison des Aigles
It is probably the most amusing detail to show visitors: the sundial installed on the façade.
It represents a rooster, which seems to be conversing with the nearby bell tower of Sacré-Cœur. An inscription accompanies the sundial:
« When you chime, I shall sing »
The idea is poetic: when the bells of Sacré-Cœur ring, the rooster answers them with its crow.
Why show the Maison des Aigles to a tourist?
This is one of the “hidden curiosities of Montmartre.”
It is located within a short distance of several very different stories:
Maison Rose → Maison des Aigles → Napoléon → Henry Lachouque → sundial → Sacré-Cœur.
It is precisely this that makes it interesting to include in a stroll. The tourist discovers that Montmartre is not just the neighborhood of painters and cafés. It is also a district filled with passionate characters, symbols, and surprising little stories.
The house is private: it should therefore be viewed as a place to observe from the street, rather than a museum to visit.
To see nearby
You can enjoy exploring the Butte Montmartre by following our 3 self-guided walks dedicated to it:
Stroll from Pigalle to Sacré-Cœur via the southern side of Montmartre hill
Stroll from the Musée de Montmartre to Pigalle via the Moulin-Rouge
But you can also see or visit (and book online when available) the following Points of Interest:
Bonus: 5 essential tips to help you plan and enjoy your stay in Paris
Have you noticed that our website provides you with tools to easily organize your trip to Paris so that your stay is a stress-free success?
1. Phrasebook Translator for those who don’t speak French fluently
Having trouble finding the right word or phrase in French? Click here on PHRASEBOOK – or at the top right of your screen. It’s a glossary of 100 useful words and/or expressions for a tourist visiting Paris. You’ll feel at ease in restaurants, hotels, shopping, the metro, greetings, asking for directions, and more. Eight languages are available. And guess what? You can also listen to each word and phrase in French.
2. The VPBY Stay Generator
There are many interesting and informative things to see in Paris. A well-organized stay is highly recommended. To help you, we’ve made our Stay Generator available to you FREE OF CHARGE.
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It takes just 5 clicks and 3 minutes. And it’s completely free. To use it, click on "Paris Stay Organizer"
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3. List of Reservations to Make
You have free access to our database to "get to know" Paris (Click on Paris Guide) and discover Paris (Click on Places to Visit). And to avoid wasting time queuing, we recommend making your reservations directly online a few days in advance. All official reservations are available and accessible on our website:
Reservations to enter museums, monuments, shows, Seine cruises
Reservations for your arrival in France: flights, trains, cars
Reservations for your accommodation: hotels, apartments, guesthouses – in Paris or nearby
You will find links to all these reservations directly in the articles about the tours that interest you or in the self-guided itineraries of our walks. By clicking on "Reservations" in the header bar, you will have access to all the reservations you need during your stay. For example:
Notre-Dame de Paris entry reservation (Free entry but reservation recommended to avoid queues)
Book tickets for Château de Versailles: Entry + Gardens Access + Trianon Estate
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These are high-definition collectible photos available in digital format or as long-lasting prints (75 to 100 years). Sizes range from postcard to large format (up to 1 meter or more). A timeless keepsake to adorn your home. Quality souvenirs (unlike cheap plastic Eiffel Towers or snow globes). At very affordable prices. Click on:
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