Hôtel Lutetia Paris: Discover Left Bank Luxury on Rive Gauche

At the corner of Boulevard Raspail and Rue de Sèvres, where Saint-Germain-des-Prés begins to narrow, Hôtel Lutetia Paris has occupied the Left Bank since 1910. Opened in 1910, the Lutetia owes its existence to its neighbor Bon Marché, one of the first department stores in the world, built by Marguerite Boucicaut to provide accommodation for wealthy customers traveling from provinces for shopping.

Exterior of Hotel Lutetia Paris at 45 Boulevard Raspail Left Bank, Art Nouveau to Art Deco 1910, Saint Germain des Pres, only Palace hotel on Left Bank
45 Boulevard Raspail — opened 1910 by Boucicaut family of Le Bon Marché, Art Nouveau by Boileau and Tauzin, Left Bank's only Palace hotel.

The Foundation: 1910 Palace Built for Le Bon Marché Clientele

The Lutetia was built in 1910 in the Art Nouveau style to designs by architects Louis-Charles Boileau and Henri Tauzin. The Lutetia is located at the intersection of Boulevard Raspail and rue de Sèvres, adjacent to the Sèvres-Babylone Métro station. The hotel is named for an early pre-Roman town that existed where Paris is now located. Situated in the center of the Left Bank, the heart of the French intellectual scene, it quickly became a hub of philosophical and artistic debate.

Since 1910, and a bastion of the shift from Art Nouveau to Art Deco, the Lutetia Paris has welcomed guests from near and far over the last century, providing all with a truly Parisian experience. Opened in 1910, this Left Bank hotel was built by the founders of Le Bon Marché department store. It has hosted diplomats and high society across the decades and even welcomed Paris' creative brigade — the crossroad of the greatest artists of the 20th century such as Ernest Hemingway, Joséphine Baker, Pablo Picasso and many more.

Located at 45 Boulevard Raspail, in the St.Germain-des-Prés area of the Left Bank, the hotel was originally opened in 1910 by the Boucicaut family, founders of Le Bon Marché. Acquired by The Set, known for their sensitive and transformative restoration of historical properties, the hotel was closed four years ago for an ambitious period of restoration and refurbishment that will return the property to its rightful place amongst the city's Palace hotels and as the only Grand hotel on the Left Bank.

Craftsmanship and Experience: 184 Rooms, 47 Suites and Left Bank Palace Status

The hotel originally opened in 1910, and was closed in April 2014 for renovation works which have seen the room count reduced from 233 to 184, allowing for larger rooms, including 47 suites. Facilities include Bar Josephine, L'Orangerie restaurant, Salon Saint Germain with an art deco patio for al fresco dining, and Brasserie Lutetia on the corner of Boulevard Raspail and Rue de Sèvres, as well as Bar Josephine and the Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre.

Central located, this modern property designed for contemporary living with all facilities benefits of 184 beautifully designed bedrooms, 47 will be suites. Since 1910, and a bastion of the shift from Art Nouveau to Art Deco. Built 1910, renovated 2018, total meeting space 6,768 sq ft, Guest Rooms 184. The Hotel Lutetia is the most magnificent luxury hotel in Left Bank Paris. Originally opened in 1910, the Jazz-era property reopened in 2018 after a four-year, full-scale renovation. Lutetia now offers 184 fully soundproofed rooms, each one with custom 1930s-style furnishings and solid marble bathrooms.

Mandarin Oriental Lutetia Paris is an iconic landmark situated in the vibrant Saint Germain des Prés area and the only luxury Palace hotel on the city's Left Bank. Originally opened in 1910 the building's design was a daring move from Art Nouveau to the emerging style of Art Deco. The Lutetia delivers an authentic Parisian experience and has been at the heart of the local community for more than 100 years. The hotel now features an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars and lounges. After four years of renovation driven by international architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, the new Lutetia combines heritage and modernity with 184 rooms including 47 suites. Architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte designed more than $200 million, four-year renovation, completed in 2018.

Interior of Hotel Lutetia Paris, Bar Josephine and L'Orangerie restaurant, Salon Saint Germain art deco patio, 184 rooms 47 suites
Bar Josephine and Salon Saint Germain — Art Deco patio for al fresco dining, 184 rooms reduced from 233, 47 suites.

The Strategic Value of Left Bank Palace Position

Right Bank palaces cluster around Place Vendôme. Left Bank has only one Palace hotel — Lutetia. That monopoly is not symbolic. For publishing, academia, galleries and the intellectual scene that defines Rive Gauche, proximity to Boulevard Raspail matters more than proximity to Champs-Élysées. From wartime refuge to luxury haven, historic Lutetia was occupied by Nazis during World War II and after liberation served as welcome centre for concentration camp survivors, before being taken over by Mandarin Oriental luxury hotel group and renamed Mandarin Oriental Lutetia.

EXECUTIVE INSIGHT

With 184 rooms including 47 suites after reduction from 233, Lutetia offers Left Bank's largest luxury inventory with Palace status, yet remains intimate enough for buyout. Use Bar Josephine for informal Rive Gauche meetings; Salon Saint Germain's Art Deco patio provides al fresco privacy rare on Boulevard Raspail. Brasserie Lutetia on the corner of Raspail and Sèvres functions as a power breakfast room for Left Bank. The Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre and 6,768 sq ft meeting space support extended stays for creative and diplomatic programs. The $200 million renovation by Jean-Michel Wilmotte ensures acoustic isolation — critical on Saint-Germain.

Practical Guidance for a Left Bank Stay

Located at the heart of the iconic Saint Germain des Prés, the Hotel Lutetia reopened its doors in the summer of 2018. Founded in 1910, the hotel has been the crossroad of greatest artists of the 20th century. It is located on Boulevard Raspail on Paris' Rive Gauche, and was originally founded in 1910 by the Boucicaut family, owners of Le Bon Marché. The Palace property closed in April 2014. It will be the second Mandarin Oriental-branded property in Paris, joining Mandarin Oriental, Paris on the Rive Droite. Arrive via Sèvres-Babylone Métro for discreet access; the Brasserie Lutetia entrance on Rue de Sèvres is less formal than Boulevard Raspail.

Editorial FAQ

When Was Hôtel Lutetia Paris Opened?

Opened in 1910, owing its existence to neighbor Bon Marché, built by Marguerite Boucicaut to provide accommodation for wealthy provincial customers.

Where Is Hôtel Lutetia Paris Located?

45 Boulevard Raspail in St Germain-des-Prés area of Left Bank, at intersection Boulevard Raspail and rue de Sèvres, adjacent to Sèvres-Babylone Metro, only luxury Palace hotel on Left Bank.

How Many Rooms Does Hôtel Lutetia Paris Have?

184 beautifully designed bedrooms including 47 suites, reduced from 233 after $200 million four-year renovation by Jean-Michel Wilmotte completed 2018.

What Style Is Hôtel Lutetia Paris?

Built 1910 in Art Nouveau style by Louis-Charles Boileau and Henri Tauzin, bastion of shift from Art Nouveau to Art Deco, with 1930s-style furnishings and solid marble bathrooms.

What Facilities Define Hôtel Lutetia Paris?

Bar Josephine, L'Orangerie, Salon Saint Germain with Art Deco patio, Brasserie Lutetia on corner Raspail and Sèvres, Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre, now Mandarin Oriental Lutetia.

Hôtel Lutetia Paris endures because it is the only Grand hotel on the Left Bank. Since 1910, at 45 Boulevard Raspail, built by Boileau and Tauzin for Le Bon Marché clientele, reduced from 233 to 184 rooms in 2018 by Jean-Michel Wilmotte, it has remained the crossroad of Hemingway, Baker, Picasso and the intellectual scene. In a city that divides itself by river, its Rive Gauche address is not location. It is identity.

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