Stepping into Parisian History: Unmask The 10 Most Historic Hotels in Paris
Greetings fellow travellers! Tis I, your ultimate guide in our journey, stepping into a time machine to unlock Paris’s majestic past. Ready? Set? Chauffeur, to our time-travelling baguette!
An Intimate Glimpse into Paris'
If a picture paints a thousand words, then a historic hotel tells a thousand tales. And what better place to hear these stories than Paris, a city bursting with cultural richness and historic hotels that could charm any Jane Austen heroine out of her corset.
1. L'Hôtel
First stop: L'Hôtel. Not just an imaginatively named establishment, my friends. No siree! This is where Oscar Wilde spent his final days, racking up a bill as extravagant as his wit. We can't promise you'll write the next 'Dorian Gray' here, but at least you'll be inspired.
2. Le Bristol Paris
Next, we travel to Le Bristol Paris. Brush up on your royal wave because this place is so ritzy, even the chandeliers have a better haircut than you. Remember, if the wallpaper could talk, it'd probably ask for a martini. Clearly, opulence never takes a day off here.
3. Hôtel de Crillon
Then, to Hôtel de Crillon, the grand dame of Paris… Built for Louis XV, it's a place dripping with history and maybe even some misplaced royal bling. Madonna, not the Virgin, but the one that rocked the '80s, was refused a suite here. If that doesn’t get your historic juices flowing, I don’t know what will.
4. Pavillon de la Reine
Onto Pavillon de la Reine, where you can walk in the footsteps of famous French poet, Victor Hugo. Interesting fact - He penned 'Les Misérables' here. Might want to leave your stolen silverware at home, just in case Inspector Javert is lurking about.
5. Hotel d'Aubusson
Say bonjour to Hotel d'Aubusson! In its former life, it was an esteemed literary salon where the intellectuals of Paris gathered. Make sure to ‘accidentally’ leave your Pulitzer Prize-winning manuscript in your room! Who knows? You might ignite a modern-day literary revolution.
6. Hotel Ritz Paris
Speaking about igniting, Hotel Ritz Paris is as fist-pumpingly fabulous as it sounds. After all, it was Ernest Hemingway's home during the World War II liberation of Paris. He loved this place so much he ‘liberated’ the bar. For research purposes, no doubt.
7. Shangri-La Hotel
Enter the dragon, my friends, as we saunter off to the Shangri-La Hotel, originally home to Napoleon Bonaparte's nephew. Now the only battles here are for the best sun-lounging spot by the pool.
8. Le Meurice
A pit stop at Le Meurice, Salvador Dali’s home for 30 years, is a must. No, you won't find melting clocks here, but the wildly imaginative decor might make you question reality. Oh, Dali, you crazy diamond.
9. Hotel de la Marine
Off to Hotel de la Marine, it's as fabulous as a peacock in Paris. This hotel, carved from the former royal palace, Corinthian columns, and all are like sleeping in a history book. But comfier. And with room service.
10. Relais Christine
Lastly, I take you to the Relais Christine. Located in an old Abbey, this place hums with serene spiritual energy. Great for meditating, not so much for holding an AC/DC tribute concert.
And just like that, our bellboy time travels us back to the present to end our marvellous historical journey - the stuff of dreams, eye-popping opulence, and countless enchanting tales of Paris.