Have you ever wanted to stay in a Paris mansion? Well you certainly can, and it may be more affordable than you think!
We give a rundown of Top 5 mansion stays, from better known Parisian havens to some hidden gems in the capital.
An authentic way to experience Paris
The term ‘Hôtel particulier’ refers to large private townhouses or mansions in France, and doesn’t mean they are hotels. That said, a number of these grand dwellings have now opened their doors to travelers.
But why would you want to stay in a Paris mansion? The city has many hotels to choose from – over 1,500 in fact.
However, the mansion properties are seeing a surge in popularity – and it’s not hard to see why.
With fewer rooms, they have a boutique feel and offer luxury accommodation without the crowds, no queues at the reception desk, and other benefits such as private dining experiences.
Another attraction is authenticity – you feel more like a welcome houseguest than a tourist.
Mansion stays can vary in price, so you don’t have to be a millionaire to enjoy a taste of the lavish Parisian lifestyle.
Maison Villeroy in the Golden Triangle
Our first mansion stay is one of the grandest.
Maison Villeroy is the former home of Maurice Villeroy, a member of the famed family that founded Villeroy & Boch porcelain. Built in 1907, it’s nestled on a residential street near the Seine in the sought-after Golden Triangle, in the city’s 8th arrondissement (district).
Original wood paneling, Calacatta marble fireplaces, and chandeliers give the feel of an opulent residence with a very Parisian spirit.
There are 11 bedrooms, suites, and apartments to choose from, spread over the three-story building.
The house only opened as a hotel in January 2020. Features include the first Buly spa in Paris, Bar Jean Goujon serving fine wines, classic cocktails, and eclectic whiskies, and Restaurant Trente-Trois led by Michelin-starred chef Sebastien Sanjou.
Shopping fans will appreciate its close proximity to the designer boutiques on the avenue Montaigne.
Prices to stay at Maison Villeroy begin at around €1000 per night.
Maison Armance, Les Tuileries
The former home of 19th-century French writer Stendhal sits on the Right Bank in the 1st district. Close by are the Tuileries Gardens and the Place de la Concorde.
Maison Armance is now a 20-room boutique hotel with classic Haussmannian elements such as high ceilings, moldings, and parquet flooring. There is a breakfast room, while the mansion has contemporary art pieces dotted throughout.
Unusually, the reception and lounge are set at the top of the building, with views out across the Parisian skyline. So to check in, guests take the elevator to the top.
A variety of high-end boutiques on the rue Saint-Honoré are just around the corner.
An overnight stay here ranges from €200 to €400, making it the most affordable mansion stay on our list.
Hôtel Particulier in Montmartre
The name of our next hôtel particulier is just that –
Hôtel Particulier is a mansion in Lamarck Caulaincourt, the oldest corner of Montmartre.
There are just five bedrooms open for visitors, all of them suites, and each one individually styled. Sized from 35 to 85m² they include a Japanese-themed boudoir decorated with silk and gold leaf, and a safari lair with faux leopard skin walls.
Bohemian yet glamorous, the bijou bar oozes luxury with red velvet chairs, a glass roof, and a Garden of Eden wallpaper mural.
Le Grand Salon restaurant is open to guests and visitors, serving a sumptuous array of dishes seven days a week, including a renowned Sunday lunch.
Stay at Hôtel Particulier, and you’re also free to roam the largest private garden in Paris, which surrounds the property. Or explore the nearby Villa Léandre, a charming cobblestone cul de sac lined with row houses.
The hotel is tucked away on avenue Junot, a winding tree lined street dotted with single family houses and wisteria, home to Paris’ film community.
In fact if you think this mansion looks familiar, you may recognize the courtyard from season two of “Emily in Paris.” We wrote about the other landmarks and real estate from the Netflix series earlier this year.
Prices to stay here start from €890 per night.
La Réserve Paris in the 8th
This private mansion offers ultra-luxe accommodations in a hard-to-beat location near the rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré shopping street and the Elysée Palace. The Champs-Elysées is also close by.
Built in 1854 for the Duke of Morny, a half-brother of Napoleon III, it enjoyed a full refurbishment a few years ago.
La Réserve Paris offers quintessential 19th-century Parisian chic and elegance. Guests can use the luxury spa, or take a dip in the private pool. While they can also embark on a culinary journey at the two-Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Gabriel, led by chef Jérôme Banctel.
After dinner, they can return to their own private space. There are 25 suites and 10 bedrooms to choose from, ranging from 140 to 300m². Some have views of the Eiffel Tower, a major draw.
We wrote about La Réserve Paris and its illustrious history in a previous blog post.
Prices for an overnight stay start from €960.
Hôtel Alfred Sommier, La Madeleine
Set on the Right Bank, the Hôtel Alfred Sommier is close to the Place de la Madeleine and the famed Galeries Lafayette department store.
It’s named for the building’s first resident, a sugar baron famous for restoring the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte outside Paris.
Many original features of his aristocratic 19th-century house remain – a winter garden, frescos, gilded moldings, grand staircases, and parquet floors. Richard de Warren, a descendant of Alfred Sommier, is the current owner and oversaw the refurbishment in 2018.
Modern additions include an elegant restaurant Les Caryatides, and Les Plans, a wood-paneled bar where the original house plans hang.
The 80 rooms, of which 18 are suites, all have marble bathrooms. Six of the rooms have private terraces overlooking the Paris rooftops.
Of all the hotels on this list, this one may feel the most like a family home, and you as a privileged guest. But it’s still the epitome of Parisian bourgeois chic.
Prices to stay at Hôtel Alfred Sommier begin at €400 per night.
Tempted to stay in a Paris mansion?
Has the idea of enjoying a stay in a Paris mansion grabbed your interest? It could give you a taste of what it’s like to have your own pied-à-terre or apartment in the city.
If you’d like to speak to one of our realtors about owning your own home here or have any queries about the local property market, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the team at 56Paris.
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Please note: All prices quoted are correct at the time of writing in August 2022.
Photos: Maison Villeroy - DR, Angelina Alonzi, La Réserve