Merchant Igumnov's house is a masterpiece. You really should see it. It is was built in the end of the 19th century and is one of the best examples of pseudo-Russian style.
This gorgeous house is of course full of legends. According to one of them, the owner - merchant Igumnov was going to live in the house with his mistress but she betrayed him so
he walled her up in the building.
According to another legend, once merchant Igumnov decided to astonish his guests and reveted the front floor with golden coins. At that time a portait of tsar was engraved on the coins thus the guests stepping on the floor unwillingly abused the tsar. The rumours about that came to his majesty and the merchant had to leave Moscow soon.
In 1938 this building was officially passed to French Government for the French Embassy. In 1979 the Embassy moved to the neighbouring building and this one became an official residence of the French embassadors. Currently French embassador and some embassy employees live here. It is also the place for official events.
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