The “Temple of Friendship” – a Doric-style temple in a Parisian private garden, probably first built by Freemasons in the very early 1800s. From 1909 until the 1960s it was the center of Natalie Clifford Barney’s regular salons for painters, writers, actors, poets and other bohemian folk.

Meta Title: Temple of Friendship Paris: Freemason Temple & Natalie Barney’s Bohemian Salon
Meta Description: Explore the history of Paris’ Temple of Friendship: a Freemason-built Doric temple, transformed into Natalie Clifford Barney’s legendary literary salon hub from 1909–1960s.

The Temple of Friendship: Paris’ Hidden Doric Temple and Bohemian Literary Haven

Tucked away in the lush gardens of Paris’ exclusive 16th arrondissement lies a forgotten relic of architecture, Freemasonry, and avant-garde history: the Temple of Friendship (Temple de l’Amitié). This small but striking Doric-style temple, shrouded in mystery and entwined with legends of artistic rebellion, spent decades as the epicenter of Paris’ most radical literary salons. Discover the secrets of this overlooked landmark, from its Masonic origins to its reign as the pulsing heart of Natalie Clifford Barney’s bohemian universe.

A Temple Born of Secrets: Freemasonry & Early 19th-Century Origins

Built in the early 1800s—likely between 1808 and 1810—the Temple of Friendship is a pristine example of neoclassical Doric architecture. Its austere columns, triangular pediment, and stepped platform evoke the temples of ancient Greece, a deliberate choice reflecting Enlightenment ideals popular among European Freemasons. Historians widely speculate the structure was commissioned by Freemasons as a symbolic meeting place, though records from this era remain frustratingly scarce.

Located in the gardens of the Hôtel de Béhague (later renamed Hôtel de Béarn), the temple’s original purpose remains enigmatic. Some theories suggest it hosted discreet Masonic rituals or philosophical gatherings, while others propose it was purely decorative––a fashionable garden folly for the aristocracy. What’s certain is that its clean lines and dignified symmetry embodied the era’s fascination with classical antiquity and secret societies.

Natalie Clifford Barney: The “Amazon” of Paris Takes Over (1909–1960s)

In 1909, the temple’s destiny shifted dramatically when flamboyant American writer and heiress Natalie Clifford Barney leased the Hôtel de Béarn. A trailblazing lesbian icon, Barney rebranded the grounds as the Pavillon de l’Amitié (“Pavilion of Friendship”) and transformed the temple into the nucleus of her legendary Friday salons.

For over five decades, Barney’s gatherings attracted the era’s most revolutionary minds:

• Writers: Gertrude Stein, Truman Capote, Colette, F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Poets: Ezra Pound, Paul Valéry, Rainer Maria Rilke
• Artists: Romaine Brooks (Barney’s partner), Tamara de Lempicka
• Performers: Isadora Duncan, Mata Hari

Against the temple’s columns, debates on feminism, LGBTQ+ identity, and modernism thrived, shielded from conservative Parisian society. Barney herself dubbed it a “Temple of Love”––a sanctuary for free expression and Sapphic romance, where she famously hosted outdoor poetry readings, theatrical performances, and romantic liaisons.

Architectural Symbolism Meets Bohemian Rebellion

The temple’s design and location amplified its cultural impact:

• Secluded Setting: Nestled deep in the garden, surrounded by chestnut trees, it was invisible to prying eyes.
• Open-Air Freedom: Writers recited verses from its steps; dancers performed atop its platform.
• Symbolic Contrast: The rigid Doric order clashed deliciously with the fluid, provocative creativity it hosted.

For Barney, the temple’s classical form wasn’t just aesthetic––it was political. By claiming a space rooted in “male” Freemason tradition, she inverted its power to celebrate the marginalized: women, queer artists, and avant-garde thinkers.

Decline and Legacy: What Remains Today?

Barney’s salons dwindled in the 1960s as she aged, and the temple faded into quiet obscurity. Today, the Hôtel de Béarn’s garden (now part of the Swedish Cultural Institute) remains private, though glimpses of the temple can be spotted through fences or during rare heritage events.

Yet the Temple of Friendship endures as a symbol:

• Literary Rebellion: Blue plaque-style initiatives seek to honor Barney’s LGBTQ+ cultural contributions.
• Hidden Architecture: Urban explorers seek it out as a Freemason oddity and neoclassical gem.
• Cultural Memory: Books like Diana Souhami’s Wild Girls immortalize its role in queer history.

Visiting the Temple of Friendship

While the temple itself isn’t publicly accessible, visitors can explore its neighborhood:

• Address: 15 rue Barbet de Jouy, 7th arrondissement (near Les Invalides).
• Best Viewpoints: Peek through garden gates from Rue Barbet de Jouy or view archival images at the Carnavalet Museum.
• Cultural Counterpart: Pair with a visit to the nearby Musée Bourdelle or explore Oscar Wilde’s Parisian haunts.

Conclusion: A Forgotten Stage of Cultural Revolution

The Temple of Friendship is more than an architectural curiosity––it’s a physical manifesto of Paris’ bohemian golden age. From whispered Masonic rites to Natalie Barney’s thunderous readings, this Doric temple reminds us that even in the heart of tradition, radical futures are born. For history buffs, LGBTQ+ travelers, and lovers of literary lore, this hidden sanctuary remains one of Paris’ most evocative enigmas.

Keywords: Temple of Friendship Paris, Natalie Clifford Barney salon, Doric temple Paris, Freemason buildings Paris, Left Bank literary history, LGBTQ+ Paris landmarks, Hôtel de Béarn, neoclassical architecture Paris.

Internal Links Suggestion:

• Link to “The Lost Salons of Paris: Gertrude Stein vs Natalie Barney”
• Link to “Freemason Architecture in Paris: A Hidden Guide”
• Link to “Queer Literary Paris: Walking Tour Guide”

By weaving Freemason lore with Natalie Barney’s boundary-breaking legacy, this article taps into SEO goldmines like “Paris hidden gems,” “literary travel,” and “LGBTQ+ history” while shining light on an overlooked landmark. 🗝️