If you love history, old-world charm, or places with a cool backstory, then you won’t want to pick just any average hotel in Paris. Luckily, the city has a whole bunch of character-filled stays, but there’s something extra fun about checking into a place that’s been around longer than many countries (including the US).
If you want to do some pretty cool time traveling while you’re here, stay at one of these incredible historic hotels in Paris.
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(WA = Wheelchair Accessible)
Image Courtesy of The Relais-Hôtel du Vieux Paris via Booking.com
The Relais-Hôtel du Vieux Paris, Latin Quarter
Tucked away in the Latin Quarter, the Relais-Hôtel du Vieux Paris is the most under-the-radar of the oldest hotels in Paris. It also has a bit of an edge that the others don’t. Built back in 1480 as an aristocratic mansion, it later became a hotspot for Beat Generation legends, like Burroughs, Kerouac, and Ginsberg, back in the ’50s and ’60s. So if you’re a serious book fan, this hotel’s for you.
Inside, you’ll find charming details like exposed stone walls and wooden beams, mixed with either classic French decor or a more modern twist, depending on the room. It’s set on a quiet little street, but just a few paces from Notre-Dame, and all the bookstores of the Left Bank, including Shakespeare and Company, exactly where the Beatniks hung out when they weren’t writing at the hotel.
Image Courtesy of Pavillon de la Reine via Booking.com
Le Pavillon de la Reine, Le Marais
I have a soft spot for this super charming hotel with a killer location. It sits right on the Marais district’s dreamy Place des Vosges (Paris’s oldest square, dating back to 1612), part of the hotel was originally intended as the residence of the queen, hence its name.
Most of it is hidden behind a lush, vine-covered courtyard that feels like a secret garden in the middle of the city. Inside, historic touches, like a vaulted breakfast room and giant fireplaces, are combined with modern floral wallpaper, velour armchairs, and fabulous marble bathrooms. Some suites even come with painted beams and decorative fireplaces for that extra bit of magic.
Image Courtesy of Hôtel de Crillon via Booking.com
Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel, Champs-Elysées
France might have gotten rid of its monarchy, but you’ll be treated to a supremely royal experience at The Crillon. An aristocratic mansion from the mid 1700s, overlooking Place de la Concorde (where the royals were beheaded, ouch), it’s one of Paris’s top ultra-luxe “palace” hotels.
It’s perfectly placed for exploring, but honestly, you might not want to leave. The rooms are outrageously elegant (some suites were designed by Karl Lagerfeld), and you might even snag a view of the Eiffel Tower or a private terrace.
Add in a Michelin-starred restaurant, a glamorous bar with live music and dangerously good cocktails, and a top-tier spa. It’s a whole Marie-Antoinette experience, just brace yourself for an equally royal price tag.
Image Courtesy of Le Relais Christine via Booking.com
Le Relais Christine, Saint-Germain
One of my favorite hotels on the Left Bank, this place is hidden away in Saint-Germain and feels like a little secret. Step into its pretty, flower-laden courtyard, and you’ll feel transported to the French countryside.
The hotel sits on the remains of a 13th-century abbey, later turned into a mansion in the 1600s. Today, the rooms range from soft, cozy pastels to full-on romantic suites with four-poster beds and private terraces.
After a day of gallery hopping and boutique browsing in the area, you can unwind in the spa or sip champagne in the lounge before heading out for dinner at a cute bistro nearby. How parfait is that? (WA*)
*The hotel features specially adapted ground-floor rooms that have direct courtyard access and roll-in showers, but there are not many available, so make sure to book far enough in advance.
Image Courtesy of Le Mansart via Booking.com
Le Mansart, Louvre-Palais-Royal
This hotel has quite the backstory, and it definitely shows it. Named after its architect, Jules Hardouin Mansart (the genius behind parts of the Château de Versailles), it was built in 1720 as the refined home of a royal jeweler before transforming into a hotel in the early-19th century.
Today, it’s got a blend of these various eras, from Grand Siècle grandeur to Second Empire flair and a hint of Victorian style thrown in the mix. To keep the historic theme going, you’re also steps from many of Paris’s oldest places, like the Place Vendome, the Louvre, and Place de la Concorde.
Image Courtesy of Hotel Chopin via Booking.com
Hotel Chopin, Grands Boulevards
This little gem is proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to sleep somewhere historic in Paris. The Hotel Chopin is tucked right inside the Passage Jouffroy, a gorgeous historic shopping arcade that makes you feel like you’ve wandered onto a movie set. Even better, the hotel dates all the way back to 1846, when the passageway was first opened.
Inside, you’ll find subtle nods to the hotel’s namesake, Frédéric Chopin (who lived nearby). While the rooms are on the smaller side, they’re super cozy with floral wallpaper, warm colors, and a very Parisian hideaway vibe.
From its doorstep, you can easily explore more covered passageways, tons of cute shops, and you’re just a short stroll from the Louvre, Opéra Garnier, South Pigalle, and even Montmartre.
Image Courtesy of Hôtel d’Angleterre via Booking.com
Hôtel d’Angleterre, Saint-Germain
Nestled in the heart of Saint-Germain, the Hotel d’Angleterre has a seriously impressive past that could appeal to both American and British history buffs. Back in the late 18th century, it was actually the British Embassy, and it was where the Treaty of Paris recognizing American independence was signed. But its cool history doesn’t stop there.
Fast forward to the 20th century when Ernest Hemingway and his wife stayed here in 1921 (ask for room 14). A few years later, Charles Lindbergh checked in after his legendary nonstop flight from New York to Paris. Not exactly your average guestbook.
The rooms themselves seem to be a bit frozen in time in a wonderfully poetic way. Some have canopy or four-poster beds, wooden beams, and fireplaces, the perfect setting to curl up with your Paris book before bed.
Image Courtesy of Le Westminster via Booking.com
Le Westminster, Louvre-Palais-Royal
Unlike the others on this list of historic hotels in Paris, this one was actually built as a hotel from the start, and way back in 1807. It later got its name from the Duke of Westminster, who used it as his Paris base, which explains the whole regal vibe.
Expect plenty of gold accents, chandeliers, and a general sense that you should probably be wearing something slightly more glamorous than sneakers. There’s also a chic bar where you can imagine the Duke himself sipping cognac – these days, you can do the same while listening to live jazz. And if you’re into afternoon tea, their restaurant serves one of the best in Paris. Not a bad way to have a very regal stay in Paris. (WA)
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