Following the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71 and until the beginning of World War II, the embassy of the German Empire to the French Republic was located at Hôtel Beauharnais, the current residence of the German Ambassador.

By 1803, the structure was purchased by Eugène de Beauharnais, who had it rebuilt in an Empire style.

During World War II, the building served as the Paris residence of Otto Abetz, German ambassador to Vichy France, until it was confiscated in 1944.

Held by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was restored to West Germany in 1961 during the negotiations on the Élysée Treaty.

As a new embassy then already was under construction on Avenue Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the building solely served for representative purposes.