The ‘New Athens’ district, so-called since 1823, owes its name to the numerous Neoclassical town houses whose design was inspired by classical Greek architecture. The district extends from rue Saint-Lazare to rue Blanche, encompassing place Saint-Georges. In the 19th century, it attracted aristocrats, intellectuals, and artists belonging to the Romantic movement. A walk around the district is an invitation to discover two delightful museums – the Gustave Moreau Museum and the Museum of Romantic Life – as well as square d'Orléans and the elegant town houses in rue Blanche, rue de la Tour des Dames, rue d'Aumale and on place Saint-Georges. There are also two churches – the Holy Trinity and Notre-Dame-de-Lorette.
