Hotel
Le Meurice
A Dorchester Collection hotel facing the Tuileries since 1815, home to Restaurant le Meurice Alain Ducasse, Bar 228 and Cédric Grolet's pastry shop.
Ritz Paris
César Ritz's legendary 1898 hotel on Place Vendôme, with the Ritz Club pool and spa, Bar Vendôme and the École Ritz Escoffier cookery school.
At a glance
- Type
- Palace hotel
- Area
- Place Vendôme, Paris, France
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Hotel class
- 5-star
- Official site
- ritzparis.com
Good to know
- Ritz Club pool and spa
- Bar Vendôme
- L'Espadon
- École Ritz Escoffier
- Garden
Why we recommend it
The Ritz Paris opened on 1 June 1898 on the Place Vendôme, founded by the Swiss hotelier César Ritz with the chef Auguste Escoffier. Set behind the 17th-century facade of a townhouse on one of the most elegant squares in Paris, it became a byword for luxury, and its guests and residents over the years have included Marcel Proust, Ernest Hemingway and Coco Chanel, who lived at the hotel for decades. After a four-year renovation, it reopened in 2016 with its classic decor refreshed and its comforts updated.
The rooms and suites are decorated in a traditional French style, with antique furniture, chandeliers, fabrics and marble bathrooms, and some suites are named after famous guests. Many rooms look over the Place Vendôme or the hotel's gardens. Dining options include L'Espadon, the hotel's restaurant, the Salon Proust for afternoon tea and pastries, and Bar Vendôme, which opens onto the garden. The small, wood-panelled Bar Hemingway is known for its classic cocktails.
The hotel also has the Ritz Club, a spa and fitness area with a swimming pool, a fitness centre, a sauna and a Turkish bath, and the École Ritz Escoffier, a cookery school offering courses for amateurs and professionals in French cuisine and pastry. The garden is a peaceful space in the heart of the city.
The Ritz suits travellers celebrating special occasions, honeymooners and guests who want the most traditional form of Parisian luxury. It is at the very top of the Paris price range. Book directly through the official website or the reservations team for the best range of rooms and packages. Non-residents can visit the bars and restaurants, which are a good way to see the hotel without staying, though booking is advisable and smart dress is expected.
The Place Vendôme is a short walk from Opéra station on metro lines 3, 7 and 8, Tuileries on line 1 and Madeleine on lines 8, 12 and 14. The Tuileries Garden and the Louvre are about ten minutes away on foot, and the fashion houses of Rue Saint-Honoré and the jewellers of the Place Vendôme are right outside the door.
Ritz Paris FAQs
When did the Ritz open?
On 1 June 1898, founded by César Ritz with Auguste Escoffier.
Is there a pool?
Yes, the Ritz Club has a swimming pool, fitness centre, sauna and Turkish bath.
Can non-guests visit the bars?
Yes, the bars and restaurants are open to non-residents, though booking is advisable.
Is there a cookery school?
Yes, the École Ritz Escoffier runs French cuisine and pastry courses.
Where can I have afternoon tea?
In the Salon Proust, which serves tea and pastries.
Is there a dress code?
Smart dress is expected in the hotel's public areas, bars and restaurants.
What is the nearest station?
Opéra on metro lines 3, 7 and 8, or Tuileries on line 1.