Built for Universal exhibitions from 1855 and 1867, this building is the first of the major Parisian hotels requested by the Emperor. He attracted many artists and crowned headsand is still today a symbol of the French art of living. We take you behind the scenes of this exceptional place !
A legendary hotel
Features 700 rooms during its inauguration, elevators and wide staircases, this “ Grand Hotel du Louvre » is one of the most modern of its time. He counts 1250 employees and offers new services: connections by omnibus car between the hotel and the stations, guides, interpreters, information Office, exchange office… Firsts at that time! Her restaurant also acquires a international reputation because, in addition to regional dishes, it is the first to offer dishes from foreign countries. Finally, 41 luxury boutiques occupy its ground floor.
Celebrity Headquarters
Among the historic guests of the Hôtel du Louvre, we count Richard Wagner in 1857, then Jules Verne in 1871. In 1887, it was the painter impressionist Camille Pissarro who paints there 11 paintings : in fact, the view of avenue de l’Opéra from the windows of Suite 104 which he occupies (and which today bears his name) is striking! The famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud stayed there in 1910, and wrote there A Childhood Memory of Leonardo da Vinci. Finally, Emile Zola will quote him in “Pot Bouille” and “L’Argent”, and Arthur Conan Doyle makes a character stay there in an adventure of Sherlock Holmes !
The Hôtel du Louvre today
Reopened in 2019 after two years of renovation, the establishment is more sumptuous than ever. Now belonging to the prestigious brand The Unbound Collection by Hyattit houses the only Bocuse brewery in Paris, the superb bar The Louvre Office (in homage to Napoleon III’s passion for botany) under a majestic Art Nouveau glass roof, and 164 rooms including 57 suites. The Hôtel du Louvre has managed to keep its typically Parisian spiritand welcomes its guests in a friendly atmosphere reminiscent of intimate charm large family homes. Here, the details make the difference, like the floral arrangements by Stéphane Chapelle, the Jade Genin chocolates offered to visitors, or the paintings of the illustrator artist Emmanuel Pierre who leads them from the lobby. About the breweryit also embodies the capital with its red bencheswhite tablecloths, brass, mirrors and an incredible terrace at the foot of the Louvre and Place Colette where you can savor the dishes of the pope of French gastronomy: Paul Bocuse.
Louvre Hotel
Place André Malraux, 75001 Paris
Info and reservations here
Photo credit of one : L’Officine © Hôtel du Louvre
Also read : Discover Paris through the eyes of the Impressionists thanks to this unusual guided tour!
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