1470 S 3rd Street, Home of Old Louisville Fleur de Lis Bed & Breakfast
This charming Bed & Breakfast – owned by the Dills Family -- offers guests an international journey in the heart of Old Louisville. Built in 1897 in Romanesque style, the home features unique architectural details, including sea monsters atop the roof—similar to those at Louisville’s Palace Theater.
The home’s history spans notable residents, from shoe wholesaler Manuel J. Streng to T.P. Taylor of Taylor Drugs. Over time, it was divided into apartments until restored in the early 2000s. The Dills family purchased it in 2009, completing extensive renovations—restoring wood floors and pocket doors, updating plumbing and electrical, adding a sunroom, and even installing a commercial elevator. In 2017, it officially opened as the Old Louisville Fleur de Lis B&B.
Inside, original features shine: a sweeping staircase, 10-foot basement ceilings, parquet floors, and ornate fireplaces (now electric). The family’s global travels fill each room with treasures—antique Indian doors, African palisander furniture, and silk drapes from India. Guest rooms reflect her journeys with themes like “Asian Queen” and “African King.”
Sharon, a retired nurse and award-winning quilter, adds warmth with homemade meals, quilts, and a rich collection of Kentucky history books. John, a Louisville native and retired mechanic, shares his love for horse racing and golf. Together with Laura, they welcome guests into a home that blends historic elegance with personal touches from around the world.