ALVEAR AVENUE, SMALL PARIS (By Hostel Buenos Aires)

Just seven blocks form the Alvear Avenue. Seven blocks which form the heart of Recoleta and Retiro neighborhoods. Seven blocks considered by the American network NBC as top five of the most glamorous streets in the world. French styled buildings, luxurious hotels and the most expensive stores in the world blend are mixed with porteño coffee shops, historical palaces, art galleries and neighbors that enjoy the everyday charme of this small Paris in Buenos Aires.

The actual desing of the Avenue is due to the first Mayor of the city, Marcelo Torcuato de Alvear, who named the old Bella Vista Drive after his father Carlos María de Alvear. In 1885, most of the rich porteño families moved from the south of our city to the north, escaping the yellow fever epidemic. The recently renewed Alvear Avenue was a privileged spot to establish.

Admirer of the French architecture, Alvear ordered the construction of the palaces and houses of the Avenue following the French formalism style. In those times, Paris was the favorite city of the Argentine high classes. The main sightsees are: the Ortiz Basualdo Palace (current French Embassy, near Cerrito Av., where Alvear Av. begins), Pereda Palace (current Brazilian Embassy), Duhau and Casey Palaces, the Vatican Nunciature and the Alvear Palace Hotel, among others.

The classical tour starts on the French Embassy on Cerrito Av. or in Plaza Francia in Recoleta. It’s worth to walk the seven blocks on each sidewalk to appreciate the buildings and construction. You can easily get there from Hostel Colonial. 14 blocks, from Tucumán St. to 9 de Julio Av. and from there to the corner of Cerrito Av. and Alvear Av.