An Inside Look at One of Paris' Most Historic Hotels
Our column "The Best Room At" offers a glimpse inside some of the most charming, luxurious, and iconic properties around the world.
No city does luxury quite like Paris, and Hotel Lutetia brings a new level of luxury to the Left Bank. The hotel has a storied history: it originally opened its doors in 1910, and was a mainstay for artistic heavyweights including James Joyce, Josephine Baker and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso once took up residence in the hotel, and more recently Lutetia was home to Pierre Bergé, the co-founder of Yves Saint Laurent.
Now, Hotel Lutetia is bringing its legacy of sophisticated luxury in 2020. In 2018, the hotel re-opened its doors after years-long restoration and refurbishment led by world renowned architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte's firm. The result is a perfect combination of historic features, like a detailed fresco in the hotel's hotspot bar, Bar Josephine, and modern upgrades, including sleek hallways and tech-savvy features in every guest room.
We asked Hotel Lutetia's general manager, François-Xavier Schoeffer, all about his favorites rooms at the property, the boldface names who have frequented the hotspot, and asked Schoeffer for his top five favorite Paris recommendations.
What sets the Hotel Lutetia apart from other hotels in Paris?
The Hotel Lutetia is one of the most historic properties in Paris and the most recognizable. In the summer of 2018, it was was unveiled after a four-year, $234 million restoration. It is the only "palace" hotel on the Left Bank.
Most of all the Hotel Lutetia has always been considered to be a “real Parisian” residence offering an authentic experience that caters to locals as much as visitors. The story of Lutetia is very much engrained in the social fabric and cultural heritage of our city, and our location enables patrons to enjoy one of the more elegant neighborhoods of Paris with a seemingly endless collection of world-class dining and shopping found on the Left Bank.
Can you tell me a little about the Hotel Lutetia's history and how it has evolved through the years?
The Hotel Lutetia was opened in 1910 by the Boucicaut family (founders of the famous shop, Le Bon Marche) to give their customers a stylish, elegant and comfortable place to stay when they weren’t shopping. Needless to say, our roots are in luxury and hospitality, but also modernity. Did you know that in 1910 Lutetia was the first hotel in Paris to offer a telephone in each of his rooms, bathrooms in each room as well as mechanical blinds to offer the most restful nights to his residents?
From the get-go the hotel has always attracted the creative and great minds, high-profile figures that frequented the Left Bank: Yves Saint-Laurent, Sonia Rykiel, Sculptors Cesar, Arman and Hiquily, General Charles de Gaulle, Josephine Baker, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Serge Gainsbourg, James Joyce (who wrote part of Ulysses at the hotel), David Lynch also had his own suite.
What would you consider the best room at Hotel Lutetia?
This is a very difficult choice. They have all their very own personality and assets. My heart is shared between our amazing Penthouses with 360 views over Paris and the Presidential "Carre Rive Gauche" Suite, which also boast a fantastic point of view on the Eiffel Tower and of Rive Gauche.
The Presidential Suite was designed in collaboration with the Carré Rive Gauche association to truly reflect the hotel’s unique Left Bank location. The large living space, a range of antique and contemporary furniture and a magnificent collection of artwork chosen from the 110 galleries that make up the Carré Rive Gauche.
The bedroom offers a simply unforgettable setting to wake and repose with perfect Eiffel Tower views, and it is completed by an oversized dressing room through which can be found an intimate private fitness room with state-of-the-art exercise bike.
The Presidential Suite also features a sublime bathroom with a full-size marble goddess statue in the Grecian style, a final nod to the artistic passion with which this grand suite has been conceived.
What is the average nightly rate for this room?
The starting price is €13,000.
How does the hotel cater to luxury visitors?
Our first and foremost focus is to capture the hearts and minds of our guests. For this we are beautifully composing experiences of all kinds with the amazing support of our team. Our commitment to offer a hyper service-oriented approach to our guests is our key to success. From the Michelin magic of our renowned Chef Gérald Passedat to the timeless amazement of our Bar Josephine and our world-class spa, we offer only the finest in the luxury hospitality space.
Can you share a few local recommendations you like too give guests?
I don't just have one—here are my top five:
Wander in Saint-Germain-des-Prés and stop by the Bon Marché and the Grande Epicerie. You can always find some great things to eat!
Eat a soufflé at Le Récamier
Explore the Menagerie, the mini Zoo of the Jardin des Plantes
Discover the Hermès boutique, rue de Sèvres. It's built in an old swimming pool, and it's fabulous.
Explore the rue Mouffetard in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, stopping by a great boulangerie for a fresh pain au chocolat and croissants. You can enjoy the evening and see the church Saint-Médard from the park.
What is one thing someone should not miss on their first trip to Paris?
Clearly, I won’t miss the opportunity to wander in Saint-Germain-dés-Près and sit at a coffee terrace and finish the day in one of the best Jazz Bar of Paris. Bar Josephine at Lutetia perhaps? So Parisian! And, there are jazz concerts on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
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