The Paris art deco Hotel Boutet is a striking example of a historic building, now transformed into a lovely hotel.
Just for 56Paris blog readers, we open the doors to this 5-star city retreat, and reveal its unique industrial history.
It’s a story of both preservation and reimagination. And it shows how Paris preserves’ its historic buildings and gives them a new lease of life for future generations.
A century of history
Designed by famed architect Achille Champy a century ago, the Maison Boutet had a much different purpose when it first opened in 1926.
Beautifully crafted in the popular Art Deco style of the time, it started life as the Parisian branch of the Boutet company, a supplier of exotic and European woods.
Located in the Charonne area of the 11th arrondissement (district), the original structure featured a reinforced concrete frame, and a facade decorated with enamel tiles in ochre and blue. Yellow and blue stained glass further enriched the awning, making the building a standout example of the Art Deco style.
The Boutet company used the factory and joinery as their headquarters for almost 20 years. But woodworking slowly went more and more out of fashion.
Then, a chocolate factory, La Suisse Normande, moved in.
For the next four decades, this factory filled the rue Faidherbe and surrounding neighborhood with the sweet scent of chocolate, becoming a much-loved local fixture. But in 1983, the chocolate factory closed.
The building’s next phase was as an office for RATP – the Paris public transport authority. This demanded significant alterations, including the addition of two new floors.
As the years went by, the original Art Deco features began to deteriorate. And it seemed like Paris could lose this piece of history forever…
A new chapter in the 21st century
By the 21st century, the old factory needed some immediate TLC.
In 2015, the building changed hands in a deal with the AccorHotels group and began its transformation – into a new luxury hotel.
But the journey required a delicate balance between modernization and preservation. And a lot of artistic flair too.
Architect Vincent Bastie, designer Astrid Dieterlen and artistic director Bruno Borrione led the project, ensuring the building’s history was carefully respected at all times. The team restored and repurposed elements of the old design wherever possible.
A huge part of the renovations was restoring the original Art Deco façade. They cleaned and polished the original mosaic tiles, and restored the tall factory-style windows.
Inside, the renovations team honored the factory’s roots by incorporating materials such as wood, concrete and polished metal – reflecting its industrial past.
The prestigious École Boulle
The hotel’s designer Astrid Dieterlen is a former student of the École Boulle, a prestigious college of fine arts and crafts in Paris.
To help stamp a unique sense of individuality to the new property, she returned to the college. Here, five groups of students worked on new designs – with the brief of ‘industrial chic.’
These talented students spent a year creating the bespoke furniture and decor that are found throughout the property.
Two of the hotel’s suites – the Teck Suite and the Ebony Suite – are entirely designed by the École Boulle team. But all the other rooms contain at least one newly designed object – whether a piece of furniture or an ornament – showcasing their expertise in carpentry, ornamental engraving and cabinetmaking.
Staying at the Paris Art Deco Hotel Boutet
So, what’s it like to stay at the Paris Art Deco Hotel Boutet?
Set in the heart of the Bastille district and near the Marais, it was the first 5-star luxury hotel in the east of the city. But beyond its historical significance, it offers a luxurious and stylish retreat.
The hotel features 80 rooms and suites, spread across six floors. Many offer fantastic views over the city’s skyline – eight even have planted roof terraces. All have individual touches and design features, again using wood and metal finishes.
There is an entrance bar – naturally in the Art Deco style – serving wine and cocktails. The hotel offers a breakfast room, and a terrace to dine outside in the warmer months.
And in a little nod to the building’s heritage as a former chocolate factory – you can also enjoy a hot chocolate every afternoon, served with a traditional madeleine.
The hotel’s sumptuous spa has a small indoor swimming pool and sauna, and offers a range of massages, facials and body treatments.
All in all, the Hotel Boutet is another example of how Paris often repurposes historic old buildings to create an exciting new location, packed with character and style.
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