9/10 for the Cour des Vosges hotel
From the outside, nothing indicates that this former private mansion, acquired in 1654 by the Marquis de Montbrun, has become the only hotel on Place des Vosges in Paris.
A discreet plaque on the wall, for only indication, historical monument obliges and one enters, by a heavy porte-cochere, in a small courtyard lit by candles, where once the boat rushed.
Neither reception, strictly speaking, nor lobby, you are greeted by smiling staff at the foot of a steep and narrow staircase (there is an elevator), as in an English house, through which you gain the three floors of the establishment .
This small unit of the Parisian hotel industry, 12 rooms and suites, has everything of a private house.
Its owner, the Evok group, which with the Brach in the 16th arrondissement and the Sinner in the Marais, among other Parisian gems, has accustomed us to trendy luxury.
What his last address will not deny.
10/10 The situation
Place des Vosges, built by Louis XIII, a world masterpiece of urban architecture, is in itself a district apart from which one can easily get out.
The rue de Rivoli, which leads to the Louvre and the Concorde is nearby.
But not only.
Close to La Bastille and all the liveliest districts of the capital, the Place des Vosges lives in seclusion, a little behind the Marais, a true island of peace in the midst of the bustle of Paris.
10/10 The decor
The common areas are limited to the corridors that lead to the bedrooms.
Despite everything, a particular effort has been made to give character to these entrances covered with a thick brown carpet.
The rooms play on levels and volumes, favoring indirect lighting and respecting, to a certain extent, whenever possible, the elements found in the original decor.
In soft colors with a predominance of Siena earth, the decoration consists of "a contemporary rewriting of spaces", according to the expression of Yann Le Coadic, architect of the firm Lecoadic Scotto, in charge of the project.
Going from an office building from the 1970s to a luxury hotel was not without difficulties… nor means.
We all appreciate the very successful result.
IN IMAGES, open the doors of the Cour des Vosges hotel in Paris
1/6 - Laubier's G canopy bed
9/10 The bedrooms
Two shows take place at the Cour des Vosges.
The first is the view from the rooms.
Twelve in number, they all open onto the Place des Vosges.
From the higher ones we dominate the trees and the garden.
Magical.
Really.
Only the arrival of night deprives you of this natural light which casts, whatever the hour of the day, a magical glow on what many consider to be the most beautiful square in Paris.
The second show is provided by the architect Yann Le Coadic who had a great time.
Our room (N ° 103), baptized "suite", there is only one room, testifies to the originality of a very studied staging, from two original elements, miraculously rediscovered: the French ceiling, we see on the beams the arabesques of the century of Louis XIII and on the ground, the red terracotta tiles on which we like to imagine the footsteps of an d'Artagnan ... The high walls have been dressed with two contemporary tapestries .
Between the high windows, which have been given interior wooden shutters, a straight sofa in old rose velvet has found its place, under a large mirror.
A small lounge area, two poufs and a contemporary pedestal table, faces it.
Perched on a platform, like a king's bed, the metal canopy is a real find.
Sliding doors and curtains isolate it from the room, creating a bedroom within the bedroom.
There is an XXL bed with a multitude of pillows, a TV and two bedside tables.
If in the morning one of the occupants wants to open the windows, the other can continue to sleep.
Each room has a mini-kitchenette hidden behind magnificent doors, with gold trim.
The hotel does not have a restaurant (only a tea room).
Room service is however provided.
Unlimited whiskey and gin decanter (for the suites), luxury here is discreet, like this room.
Next to the bathroom, there is an elegant metal bathtub with the most beautiful effect.
One downside, the soundproofing of the bedroom windows, does not quite manage to isolate you from the inevitable murmur of the Place des Vosges.
10/10 Services and equipment
The absence of a spa, by an obvious lack of space, is compensated by a large vaulted jacuzzi basin in the basement, which, given the number of rooms, can easily be privatized and, a rare thing, is accessible 24 hours a day.
Night owls will appreciate.
9/10 the value for money
With a price of between € 550 and € 3,000 per night, Cour des Vosges is not very cheap, but the beauty of the place, except for its location, the quality of its welcome, if they do not justify everything , make it very indulgent ...
Cour des Vosges, 19, place des Vosges, 75004 Paris.
Phone.
: 01 42 50 30 30.