In 1856, the hôtel was acquired from Marie-Rose, Duchess of Decrès, by Baron Nathaniel de Rothschild for FF 1,675,000.

Almost immediately after purchasing the hôtel, Rothschild hired architects Emile Petit and Robillard to renovate the structure.

Rothschild used the hôtel to display his collection of Old Master paintings, 18th century furniture, manuscripts and books.

[1] After her death in 1899, the hôtel passed to their grandson, Baron Henri de Rothschild.

[2] During World War I, Henri de Rothschild turned over hôtel to the French government for its use during the conflict as a club for officers of the Allied armies.