Although built in 1800 for the French military hero, Jean Victor Moreau, Le Temple de la Gloire, a historic house located near Paris, might be better remembered by some as the residence of Oswald and Diana Mosley, a couple who needs no introduction. Conceived as a pavilion for entertaining and relaxation, the rather grand-looking Le Temple de la Gloire is deceiving, consisting mainly of a central block comprised of a drawing room and a dining room beneath it. Located on either side of the drawing room are two small rooms, each with its own tiny bedroom. As imposing looking as the structure's façade might be, behind it is a house that could be described as compact.
I first found photos of Le Temple de la Gloire in the 2000 book, The Finest Houses Of Paris
, which clearly stated that the pavilion then belonged to Diana Mitford Mosley and her late husband, Oswald. (I featured these photos on my blog back in 2013.) Recently, I found additional interior photos in a 1981 issue of Architectural Digest, although curiously lacking in the magazine article is any mention of the Mosleys. Instead, the residence is referred to as "the house of an Englishman." Did the Mosleys prefer anonymity in hopes of avoiding controversy? Then again, the Mosleys were ones who seemed to court controversy throughout their adult lives, so perhaps the absence of names was a decision made by the magazine. Whatever the reason may be, the article provides us with additional photos of this glorious architectural gem.
All photos from Architectural Digest, May 1981, Bruno de Hamel photographer.