Check in to these New Paris Hotels

When traveling to Paris, it’s often a question of where to stay. To save you the trouble, here are 12 recently opened 4-star and 5-star hotels, many with stellar views, and one that will make you feel like royalty. In case you’d like even more recommendations, I wrote all about the top new design hotels. And here’s my insider’s guide including dining and shopping. Wherever you choose to lay your head, enjoy your visit to the City of Light!

Cheval Blanc Paris is the first urban address to join the prestigious Cheval Blanc hotel family. Neighboring the newly renovated Samaritaine, this hotspot is located in the heart of the city overlooking the Seine. Read all about this 5-star hotel and dining spot in my features for Conde Nast Traveller UK and Conde Nast Traveler.

Set on a prestigious corner of the Triangle d’Or, the Bvlgari Hotel Paris features 76 rooms, a 25-meter pool, bar and restaurant, and a Parisian courtyard. Designed by Italian architectural firm Antonio Citterio & Patricia Viel, it combines a classic Parisian Haussman-style with a more contemporary façade. And cuisine by superstar Italian chef Niko Romito.

Art Déco-inspired Kimpton St Honoré is the first Paris address for this boutique-hotel brand. Check into one of the 149 bedrooms and enjoy an indoor swimming pool, rooftop cocktail bar Sequoia, and Californian-inspired restaurant, Montecito. Famed designer Charles Zana is behind the 1930’s interiors.

Spend the night in a former 19th-century post office when sleeping at Hôtel Madame Rêve. The sleek space features 82 rooms including 19 suites with Eiffel Tower, Sacre-Coeur, and Notre Dame views. An expansive 1,000 sqm2 rooftop provides panoramic views, while two restaurants offer Mediterranean-style dining and Japanese-influenced cuisine.

5-star address La Demeure Montaigne combines the Parisian spirit and contemporary luxury within its 93 rooms and apartments. Set in an ancient courtyard, restaurant L’Envolée is helmed by Chef Grégory Réjou while the Thalgo spa features an indoor pool.

Sleep in the heart of Saint-Germain when you check in to 5-star Pavillon Faubourg Saint Germain. Every one of the 47 rooms and suites is light and airy, some more modern than others. Dine at the restaurant Les Parisiens followed by the cocktail bar, or dip into the spa where there’s a small plunge pool and treatment rooms.

The first of the Chelly family’s collection of addresses called Les Petits Hôtels was inaugurated steps away from Bastille and Place des Vosges on Boulevard Beaumarchais. Le Petit Beaumarchais invites into 6 bright and contemporary floors featuring 37 rooms imagined by interior designer Charlotte Camus. The spa features a sauna and a double treatment room.

With 28 rooms and 7 spacious suites each offering a unique experience from spirituality to cinema and music, and some overlooking the rooftops of Paris, the refurbished Seven Hotel is located in the heart of the Latin Quarter. The Wellness Chapel offers treatments including sound healing, Gua Sha, Kobido, and body massage.

Discover the bohemian charm of Monsieur Aristide set in the hilly neighborhood of Montmartre. Each of the 25 rooms, some with large terraces and others with duplex suites, are decorated by Paris’s high-end flea markets. This 4-star address is the first eco-conscious hotel from the Monsieur hotel group.

At the heart of the bustling Châtelet/Les Halles district, the Dandy hotel invites into a bobo setting, where bourgeois-boheme décor sets the mood in each of the 36 eclectic rooms. The Parisian-style brasserie includes a terrace for people-watching.

Neighboring the historic flea market Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen, cozy up in Philippe Starck-style at the MOB House. Enjoy minimal deco and maximum entertainment (including treasure hunting in the 14 flea markets). This hotel includes 100 rooms, office space, a 100% organic brasserie by Jérôme Banctel (a two-Michelin-starred chef), a gym, and an outdoor pool. As an added bonus, here are my flea market tips.

I thought I’d also share the hotel that trumps them all, especially if you’d like to play the role of royalty. Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle is set on the grounds of the Palace of Versailles. Read all about this regal address in my feature for Conde Nast Traveller UK as well as Conde Nast Traveler. This was my suite!

Top Romantic Experiences in Paris

I recently shared an article about top romantic experiences in Paris, for Bonjour Paris. Here are my top choices. Read more of my articles about new hotels and restaurants, local fashion, and life in Paris in Bonjour Paris.

There exist an infinite number of reasons why Paris is considered the City of Love. With its centuries-old architecture reflecting the city’s storied past, intimate café terraces inviting for a café crème and a dose of people watching, and former mansions turned culturally-rich museums, how not to become smitten? A simple stroll along the Seine River, with a stop along one of the 37 bridges connecting the left and right banks to admire the sunset, is enough to feel a pull at your heartstrings. Add a romantic partner and there’s no more dreamy place on earth.

When it comes to intimate experiences in Paris, there are plenty, from perfume workshops to fashion tours to twilight photoshoots (by a couple no less). Each one draws on the city’s unique charm and regardless of the occasion, will be recalled like a living love letter. Here are a few of the most romantic activities to book during your next visit.

Check-in to one of 28 rooms or seven artfully themed suites at the newly refurbished Seven Hotel in the Latin Quarter and escape into the sensual glamour of the 1970s complete with a hot tub on the terrace. In some rooms, the poetic Japanese-inspired décor invites you into a haven of zen. There’s even a suite dedicated to music, outfitted with a piano and a record player. Add a custom couples’ massage in the subterranean Wellness Chapel or from the comfort of your room, and you may never check out. Teaming up with Holissence, indulgent treatments include a Kobido or Marma massage, Gua Sha facial, reiki, yoga and sound healing.

Immerse yourself along with your king or queen into France’s most regal chapter with a private tour of the Palace of Versailles. The opulence of Marie Antoinette’s former home can best be admired by walking through the château, from the dazzling Hall of Mirrors and the ornate State Apartments, while learning all about the palace’s history. The tour continues through the Royal Gardens with their perfectly manicured grounds and thrilling fountains, all the way to the Petit Trianon, the queen’s private residence.

There’s no lack of patisseries in the culinary capital, with scents of buttery croissants wafting through the morning air. All the more reason to learn this refined craft by taking a pastry class at the hands of a master baker. Whether it’s macarons, eclairs, or French tartes that tempt your sweet tooth, baking together and binging on your creations never tasted so good. An added bonus – views of the River Seine will prove the perfect Parisian backdrop.

Where better to learn how to draw or to improve your skills than with a talented artist surrounded by the world’s top collections of sculptures and paintings? Join artist Maja Wisniewska for a private drawing lesson at the Louvre or Rodin Museum where you’ll discover a new side to anatomy. Having studied at the prestigious École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts followed by exhibitions of her work throughout Paris, Wisniewska is an expert when it comes to the human form.

Aspiring wine aficionados can determine exactly what blend of grapes whet their palates while discovering France’s 11 dominant wine regions, sip by sip. Your seasoned sommelier will introduce you to small wine producers while explaining the art of wine pairing. Every wine tasting experience is tailor-made to accommodate small groups and will leave you with a deeper understanding and appreciation for reds, whites, rosés, and bubbles.

L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped

Today marks the last day of Christo and Jeanne-Claude‘s latest installation in Paris: L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped. For those who didn’t have a chance to see this work in person, I’m sharing images to bring it more to life.

Personally, I found this work both poetic and symbolic. Walking around and through this wrapped Arc, the fabric billows in the wind, creating soft undulating waves. This silver fabric changed color throughout the day.

In an interview with Christo in 2018, he spoke about how as a young artist he lived in a small studio off of the Champs-Élysées, with the Arc as his view. How fitting to end his journey with this installation.

Read more about what Christo shared with me in this article I wrote for Hemispheres Magazine. At the time, I looked forward to our meeting in person. Unfortunately, that never happened due to his passing in 2020.

Walking beneath the Arc de Triomphe allows you to feel its immensity and the challenge of wrapping such a monumental building. A skilled team of mountain climbers worked non-stop over almost 12 weeks.

While this installation certainly proved controversial on the question of What is art? keep in mind that it was completely funded by Christo and Jeanne-Claude through the selling of their artwork. This was their way.

I will miss the presence of Christo and Jeanne-Claude in Paris, but I know their souls will remain in the city, the only place where they chose to present two works. From The Pont Neuf Wrapped to L’Arc de Triomphe, Wrapped.

Domaine de Primard

A visit to Domaine de Primard nestled on the banks of the Eure River just one hour from Paris makes for the ideal hideaway. This recent addition to Les Domaines de Fontenille’s bespoke hotel collection – launched in 2013 by Frederic Biousse and Guillaume Foucher – is one of their most enchanting. Set upon a sprawling 40-hectare country estate, welcome to a slower and more sustainable life. As Biousse and Foucher put it, a “meaningful, convivial and joyful” home away from home.

Wake up to a soundtrack of birdsong in one of 30 artfully decorated rooms or a plush suite. A moment of reflection on your private terrace can set a perfect mood for the day. The ground-floor living spaces invite you to cozy up with a good book or admire the carefully curated artwork. Whimsical details through the vast space including sculptural snails, birds and mushrooms, each playfully paying homage to nature. Multi-starred Chef Éric Frechon in unison with Chef Yann Meinsel respect the fruitful surroundings with their seasonal menus, both at the bistro Octave and the gastronomic restaurant Églantine. Many of the vegetables and herbs omnipresent in the dishes are homegrown and hand-picked. You’ll quickly understand why the creatively refined cuisine at Églantine is “as much for the taste buds as for the eyes.”

A stroll through the gardens with over 250 varieties of blooming roses is a treat for the senses. This fragrant setting created 30 years ago by renowned landscaper Jacques Hertz remains as he left it. Meanwhile, the neighboring greenhouse with its antique knick-knacks and gardening tools is as curious as it is charming. Take note of the hundred-year-old trees while exploring the rest of the bucolic grounds, equally enjoyed by the estate’s horses and cows.

Relaxing takes on many forms at Domaine de Primard. Take your pick from an invigorating spa treatment using all-natural products by Suzanne Kaufmann, a walk in the neighboring woods or a swim in the heated outdoor pool. However you choose to spend your time, you’re invited to end your day by the lakeside guinguette-style bar for an evening aperitif, happily disconnected. There’s no doubt that this new chapter of an 18th-century home once belonging to Catherine Deneuve reads as a harmonious one.

This story about a rural retreat just an hour from Paris was originally published in France Magazine.

La Samaritaine Reopens in Paris

Founded in 1870 by Ernest Cognacq and Louise Jaÿ, la Samaritaine became an iconic Parisian department store in the years that followed. This architectural splendor combing Art Nouveau with Art Deco, closed in 2005, apparently due to safety reasons. Today, 16 years later, La Samaritaine’s doors reopen following a 500 million euro renovation by its new owners LVMH.

Days before its official opening, I was lucky to take a tour of this monumental building located near the Louvre Museum in the heart of Paris.

Following nearly 30 months of renovations which you can read more about in my article for Hemispheres, la Samaritaine will feature a department store, luxe 5-star hotel Cheval Blanc opening on September 7th, 96 social housing units, offices, and a crèche. Let’s not forget 10 dining spots including haute cuisine and light bites.

Considered the smallest department store and the largest concept store, la Samaritaine covers 20,000 square meters. 600 brands will be featured, with 50 of them exclusively French.

What makes a visit to this luxurious shopping center so unique, is that you can stay for hours if not days, enjoying breathtaking views of Paris from within.

The crème de la crème of champagne brands and all natural beauty brands will also be available. Part of the hedonistic escape includes a heavenly spa by Cinq Monde.

Along with the Fondation Louis Vuitton, la Samaritaine is by all accounts one of the largest architectural projects in Europe. Opening hours are daily from 10 am to 8 pm and there’s barely a line to enter if you’re lucky.

The Dream Life of April Pett

The moment I first met April Pett at a local Parisian cafe, I could feel her positive and magnetic energy, expressed through her approachable smile and sparkling eyes. We spoke passionately about Paris and it quickly became obvious that April was living her dream life, offering private guided tours of a city she loves deeply. It’s also her knowledge of Paris’s history, culture, and food that impressed me. April’s relationship with Paris is an intimate and intense one. And I advise anyone traveling to Paris to join April on one of her expert April in Paris tours. You can also follow her adventures on Facebook and Instagram. Meanwhile, how exactly did this Canadian linguist arrive to live her dream life in Paris? This is a story I’ll allow April to tell.

I first came to Paris during my high school career. I remember my first vision of the City of Light as I exited the métro at Place de la Concorde. My eyes grew wider and wider with bedazzlement as the busy city buzzed around me, the water from the Fountains of Seas and Rivers danced throughout the square, the gold atop the Luxor Obelisk shimmered brightly and the almighty Iron Lady stood high into the horizon. Never did I imagine that one day I would move to Paris and begin my life here!

Ever since I was just a child, I developed a knack for languages. My family is Italian, and as a child, much to my dismay, I attended Italian classes every Saturday morning in my hometown of Thorold, Ontario. (All I really wanted was to be like the other kids, watching cartoons with my dolls!) At the age of 9, I began studying French as well and from that moment on, I decided that when I grew up, I wanted to be a translator. I really loved studying languages and when the opportunity presented itself to visit Paris, France, I certainly seized it! In March 2002, I first set foot on Parisian soil and it was certainly love at first sight!

Naturally, I decided to pursue languages at Brock University, where I graduated with a degree in both French and Italian. When I learned about a study abroad program in France, I could barely contain my excitement. My parents, on the other hand, didn’t want to see their “baby” go. It took some convincing but they finally agreed and signed the paperwork. “This girl is going to La France!” I thought, and began daydreaming about all of the cheese and baguettes that I would consume! 

Now one thing that I have learned over the years is that nothing just falls into your lap in France. Endless amounts of paperwork can easily pile up in front of your eyes, and the Visa application for the year abroad seemed quite tedious. That’s when my Nonna suggested that I obtain my Italian passport, this way I would be part of the EU, and then I could spend as much time as my heart desired in Europe! What a genius plan! After a couple of trips to the Italian Embassy in Toronto, I found myself with a shiny new passport, butterflies in my stomach, and a ticket to Europe!

As it turned out, the Brock University Italian program was also offering a summer study abroad program so when the day came, I boarded the plane with about a dozen other excited students to Italy to learn about Renaissance Art and la vita bella! That summer, I experienced the wonderful Italian culture, learned about the greatest Italian artists and gained 15 kilos from all of the pasta, pizza and gelato. With summer winding down, I l was plump, excited and ready for the next chapter of my adventure! 

After a 19 hour journey of trains, planes and automobiles, I arrived at the Cité Universitaire in Perpignan. I am glad that the rest of the year went more smoothly than that first evening, after clobbering up two flights of stairs with two suitcases and plenty of other bags, only to realize that I was in the wrong residence building! I spent that year, honing my French skills, embracing the delectable French culture and making memories to last a lifetime. Leaving Perpignan was one of the hardest days in my young life, saying au revoir to my friends that had become family, to all of my favorite smelly cheeses, and especially to the country that I had called home for the past 10 months. But something in my heart told me that this wasn’t going to be the very end of my French love affair!

As the years went on, I had the opportunity to visit Paris from time to time and it always left the same feeling of love, romance, and enlightenment within. And in 2014, I decided to take the plunge and make it my home. At that time, I did not know if Paris was going to be my permanent home. And I certainly did not think that I was going to start my own tour company when I stepped foot back onto Parisian soil. In fact, I came to Paris to pursue my translation dream job. I just needed to brush up on my French first. In the meantime, I began working with an American tour company and that’s when it hit me like a ton of bricks…During my university career, I worked in the tourism bureau in my hometown of Thorold, Ontario (which is right next to Niagara Falls!), I traveled the globe, I loved meeting new people and above all, I LOVED introducing guests from all corners of the planet to my adopted home, Paris! It only made sense to start my own company. 

While I had the knowledge of Paris, there were so many aspects of starting a company that I didn’t know. I sat and stared at a blank canvas. I had ideas, great ones at that, but how to put them all together to create an experience that people would love and, how to even find these people?! And that’s when it began. The magic. People from all different walks of my life started to reach out to help with web design, graphic design, social media, introductions to potential business partners and collaborators. The interest, encouragement and willingness to help April in Paris Tours get off the ground was really overwhelming and heartfelt. Today, with thousands of tours under my belt, a wonderful network of business partners and guides, a handful of awards including the Best Tour Company in Paris by the Luxury Tour Guide and Expatriates Magazine as well as the perfect 5-star review rating on TripAdvisor, I truly feel blessed to have followed the path in life that brought me here, to Paris, the City of Light, the City of Love and the city where dreams do come true!

While the past year has been a challenge for the tourism sector worldwide, I have decided to focus on the positive! It has provided opportunities for growth, development, innovation and some R&R. During the pandemic, I have been working on new tour ideas for when it is safe for all to travel again, and once borders open, I will be waiting for tourists from around the globe with open arms! In the meantime, I have launched a Virtual Tour, which is perfect for anyone missing the bistros, baguettes and off the beaten paths of Paris!

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