On Rue de Rivoli, opposite the Tuileries, Le Meurice Paris has occupied the same arcade since 1835. In 1835, Le Meurice moved from Rue Saint-Honoré to its current location on the Rue de Rivoli, in a new luxurious building, close to the Tuileries Palace, founded by Charles-Augustin Meurice to welcome affluent British travelers with English-speaking staff.
The Foundation: August 18, 1835 Palace for Kings and Queens
The palace, founded in 1835 by Charles-Augustin Meurice, still respects the wishes of its creator: it is intimate, discreet and modern. As soon as it opened, it attracted royalty because the entrance was on Rue du Mont Thabor, parallel to Rue Rivoli. A prestigious Rue de Rivoli address. Doormen in uniforms. Mosaic, chandeliers and gilt. Opened in 1835 opposite Jardin des Tuileries, this grand hotel exemplifies the elegance of old-world Paris.
In 1835, Le Meurice moved from Rue Saint-Honoré to its current location on the Rue de Rivoli, in a new luxurious building, close to the Tuileries Palace. A wealthy clientele followed, and during the July Monarchy to the French Third Republic, Le Meurice welcomed the high society of the time, who appreciated the quality of service, the refinement of the rooms and lounges, as well as the exceptional location of the hotel in the heart of Paris, near luxury boutiques. The script begins in 1811, when imperial architects Percier and Fontaine completed the Rue de Rivoli arcades framing the Tuileries. It opened on August 18, 1835, under Charles-Augustin Meurice, a celebrated innkeeper on the Channel coast.
Meurice, a former postmaster who had operated a coaching inn in Calais since 1771 to serve English Channel crossers, established the hotel to provide tailored accommodations for affluent British travelers, including English-speaking staff, familiar comforts. In 1835, the hotel relocated to a grander premises at 228 Rue de Rivoli, directly opposite the Tuileries Gardens, enhancing its prestige with expansive facilities suited for aristocracy and dignitaries. Situated opposite the Tuileries gardens at 228 Rue de Rivoli, since 1835, Le Meurice was Paris's first palace intended to welcome guests from Britain. One of Paris's Palace Hotels, Le Meurice, established in 1835, is known as the Hotel of Kings & Queens, one of the most fashionable locales at 228 Rue de Rivoli overlooking historic Tuileries Gardens, the Parisian pied-à-terre of the privileged for almost two centuries.
Craftsmanship and Experience: 160 Rooms, Philippe Starck and Alain Ducasse
Decorated in Louis XVI-inspired style, with stunning interior styling from Philippe Starck, Le Meurice is designed with luxury in mind. It features 160 rooms spread over seven floors, each offering a distinct style. Le Meurice is one of Paris' most illustrious hotels, a Palace designated property and member of the Dorchester Collection since 1997. Owned and operated by Dorchester Collection, Le Meurice received the prestigious French Palace distinction in 2011.
Today the plush suites, opulent salons and exceptional service of Le Meurice remain, while Philippe Starck-designed spaces and an Alain Ducasse restaurant nod to the city's contemporary art and dining scenes. All spacious, classically styled rooms are lavish with marble bathrooms, latest tech and flexible floor plans but park view rooms offer precious extra: a vista that takes in the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Tuileries and Eiffel Tower. Each of the seven floors has a distinct style, with 160 beautifully appointed rooms and suites decorated in style redolent of Louis XVI with exquisite Italian marble bathrooms.
Philippe Starck was also brought in to update the interiors of the common spaces, like the restaurants Le Meurice and Le Dalí, Le Bar 228, and the Galerie Pompadour, while Alain Ducasse was assigned to run the culinary concepts. So naturally, we visited the property in June, to check out the 160-room hotel. The property offers 160 opulent rooms and suites, the two-Michelin-starred Restaurant Le Meurice Alain Ducasse, the Dalí-inspired Le Dalí restaurant, and notable art collection, while Dalí himself was a longtime resident who spent at least one month annually there. The hotel's 160 elegant rooms and suites are decorated in Versailles fashion, with Louis XVI-style armchairs and grand curtains in silk, ornate wall mouldings and chandeliers.
The Strategic Value of Almost Two Centuries
Overlooking the Tuileries Gardens on Rue de Rivoli, Le Meurice has welcomed Salvador Dalí, Elizabeth Taylor, and royalty since 1835. The 160-room palace hotel features regal interiors with crystal chandeliers, marble columns, and Louis XIV-style furnishings. Alain Ducasse's two-Michelin-starred restaurant offers some of the most refined dining in Paris, while Philippe Starck's signature touches add modern wit to its 18th-century grandeur. Le Meurice was the first Parisian Palace hotel, open in 1835, and the building still carries numerous signs of the city's glorious past, as for example the dining room of the Michelin-starred restaurant Le Meurice Alain Ducasse whose original decor was inspired by the Palace of Versailles' Salon de la Paix.
EXECUTIVE INSIGHT
With 160 rooms over seven floors, each floor distinct, Le Meurice Paris offers Paris's most historically layered Palace inventory. Renovated 2021, with Philippe Starck intervention and Alain Ducasse two stars, it provides both preservation and relevance. Use park view rooms for Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Tuileries and Eiffel Tower vista for high-value hosting. Le Dalí restaurant under 145 sqm canvas by Ara Starck, daughter of Philippe Starck, provides artistic backdrop. The Royal Suite Alphonse XIII, where Dalí spent a month annually over 30 years, anchors heritage storytelling. As member of Dorchester Collection since 1997 with Palace distinction 2011, operational standards meet Palace criteria.
Practical Guidance for a Parisian Palace Stay
Le Meurice is one of Paris' most illustrious hotels, opened in 1835 by Charles-Augustin Meurice to appeal to Brits holidaying in Paris. The property takes up a stretch of the famous arcade-lined Rue de Rivoli, facing the Jardin des Tuileries and a short walk from the city's sights. Its most recent renovation began in 2019 and saw refurbishment of most rooms and suites with 60 still to go. Located in heart of historic Paris, on iconic Rue de Rivoli, eclectic interiors spark imagination. Michelin-starred dining, spa by Valmont, impeccable service ensure special experience for guests seeking comfort and luxury.
Editorial FAQ
When Was Le Meurice Paris Founded?
In 1835 Le Meurice moved from Rue Saint Honore to Rue de Rivoli, founded 1835 by Charles-Augustin Meurice celebrated innkeeper on Channel coast, opened August 18 1835, first Parisian Palace hotel for British guests.
Where Is Le Meurice Paris Located?
228 Rue de Rivoli Paris 75001 opposite Jardin des Tuileries, prestigious Rue de Rivoli address, entrance on Rue du Mont Thabor parallel to Rue Rivoli, near luxury boutiques.
How Many Rooms Does Le Meurice Paris Have?
160 rooms spread over seven floors each distinct style, 160 beautifully appointed rooms and suites decorated Louis XVI style with Italian marble bathrooms, 160 elegant rooms in Versailles fashion.
What Makes Le Meurice Paris A Palace Hotel?
Paris's first palace, member Dorchester Collection since 1997, Palace distinction 2011, known as Hotel of Kings & Queens, pied-a-terre of privileged for almost two centuries, July Monarchy to Third Republic high society.
Who Designed Le Meurice Paris Interiors?
Decorated Louis XVI-inspired with Philippe Starck, updated restaurants Le Meurice and Le Dali Le Bar 228 Galerie Pompadour, Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse inspired by Salon de la Paix Versailles, two Michelin stars, Dali longtime resident one month annually 30 years Royal Suite Alphonse XIII.
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Le Meurice Paris endures because it never abandoned 1835. At 228 Rue de Rivoli, founded by Charles-Augustin Meurice for British travelers, moved from Rue Saint-Honoré to Tuileries Palace proximity, with 160 rooms over seven floors, Louis XVI-inspired, Philippe Starck interiors, Alain Ducasse two stars, Dalí's Royal Suite Alphonse XIII, it remains the Hotel of Kings & Queens. In a city that reinvents itself, almost two centuries on the same arcade is the most Parisian luxury of all.
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