Relive the splendor of the Belle Époque when passing through the discreet doors of Maison Proust tucked away in Paris’s fashionable Haut Marais neighborhood. The third address from the hotel group Collection Maisons Particulières (following Maison Athénée and Maison Souquet) founded by art and history aficionados Sylviane Sanz and Yoni Aïdan is a living tribute to literary genius Marcel Proust. Leave it to famed French designer Jacque Garcia to dress this 23-suite home in defining detail.
The dimly lit lounge/bar with cocktails by mixologist Pierrick Baudry decked out in original artwork, centuries-old mirrors, and crystal chandeliers invite you to curl up on the deep blue velvet seating with a good book. In case you need one, look beyond the plush drapes where an impressive collection of 1,200 leather-bound editions line the shelves of the circular library. After admiring the dome ceiling adorned with stars and a golden sun, catch your breath with an original watercolor by painter Madeleine Lemaire. And don’t miss the handwritten letter by Proust himself. Before retiring to your room, a game of backgammon – the custom sets available for purchase – complements the setting.
This love letter to Proust continues from the sunlit winter garden and ornate reception space along all six floors, where elegantly outfitted suites, some with two or three bedrooms, honor the vivacious author’s many confidants. Notable personalities Colette, George Sand, and Sarah Bernhardt are among them. No matter where you choose to lay your head – the 4th floor is dedicated to painters, the 5th floor to writers, and the 6th floor recreates Marcel Proust’s home – every suite reads like an oeuvre. In case you’re inspired to compose a magnum opus of your own, writing nooks are neatly concealed among the upholstered walls, works of art, and curated book collections.
The most well-kept secret at this effusive 5-star address is delightfully hidden below ground. Enter into a Moorish-style spa where a black and white tapestry of tiles fills the intimate space. Following a dip in the 10-meter heated pool, turn up the steam in the hammam or sauna. Post-massage, playful imaginings of Proust and his cohorts might just lull you to sleep.
Top Takeaways
Location: Haut Marais, Paris
Rating: Five-Star
Food + Drink: Sip on skillfully concocted cocktails named after characters from Proust’s novels while nibbling on an assortment of dishes from yellowfin tuna belly and royal salmon roe to artichoke hearts and burrata. Classic French desserts include Tarte Tatin and Moelleux au chocolat.
Our Favorite Part of the Hotel: While every well-defined detail recalls the spirit of the Belle Epoque, it’s the wood-paneled velvet cushioned salon where you feel most inclined to run into Marcel Proust himself, along with the who’s who of the late 19th-century.
Amenities: Spa with pool, Bar, Lounge, Daily housekeeping
What’s Nearby? Picasso Museum, Place de la République, Place des Vosges
Any personal neighborhood recs? One of the most fashion-forward neighborhoods, don’t miss Paris’s coolest concept shop Merci and top local designers Erotokritos and Koshka Paris. Art aficionados can gallery-hop through endless exhibits by emerging and established artists. Don’t leave the hood without lunching on eclectic eats from Moroccan to Japanese at the city’s oldest covered market Marche des Enfants Rouges.
Rooms: 23
Pricing: Rooms start at 600€/night
Closest Airport: Orly Airport
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