the petit trianon, the headquarters of the institution, was given to the abl by the french government, in 1922. the structure, a replica of the petit trianon of versailles, had been built just a year earlier to house the french flag, during the international exhibition in commemoration of 100 years of brazilian independence.

it is a grand structure made up of large halls, salons, and lounges, lined with marble floors, and alluring fittings of crystal chandeliers and pieces of french sévres porcelain, with its outstanding feature a bronze sculpture of writer machado de assis - the academy's first president, located in the garden at the entrance.