A city slicker with country roots, Saint James Paris offers the best of both worlds—a grandiose estate-style hotel in the heart of the action.
With their landscaped grounds, rolling vineyards, and turrets and towers, châteaux are most commonly associated with France’s picturesque valleys. Luxury travellers in the know, however, can find one of these regal residences in the heart of Paris—in the mainly residential 16th arrondissement, to be exact.
The French capital’s only château, and perhaps the city’s best-kept secret, Saint James Paris—part of the prestigious Relais & Châteaux hotel brand— marries the glamour of a private members’ club with the interiors of a stylish country abode.
Graced with 5,000 m² of gardens courtesy of landscape designer Xavier de Chirac, this former private mansion has lived many lives. Not only was it the site of the first-ever hot-air balloon airfield but, after serving as the home of French President Adolphe Thiers, it became the Thiers Foundation in 1892, a school and foundation supporting promising students with scholarships and lodging. It also existed as a Londonstyle private club before opening as a hotel in the 90s, undergoing a number of radical transformations to make it the urban bolthole it is today—most recently by renowned interior designer Laura Gonzalez.
All grand staircases, neoclassic frescos, velvet drapes and chintzy florals, the hotel’s Art Deco vibe is evident everywhere, from its bedrooms and restaurant to the charming English-style bar. Home to 51 rooms and suites, the spaces come decked out with maximalist interiors like ornate chinoiseries, antiques and panoramic wallpapers, all complete with either tubs or walk-in showers, plus Guerlain amenities.
Down in the Bellefeuille fine dining restaurant, chef Grégory Garimbay pays tribute to French gastronomy through a nature-inspired multi-course menu using only seasonal and local ingredients. He leans on his very own fruit and vegetable gardens located south of the city, while catch of the day is taken directly from neighbouring lakes and the closest sea. Be sure to enjoy a pre-dinner drink in the Library Bar; decked out with leather-bound books, cosy armchairs and the original winding staircase from the Thiers Foundation library, it’s also a delightful spot for a nightcap.
The Guerlain Spa is also a must-visit, its decor inspired by Greco-Roman aesthetics and bathed in natural daylight. Spanning two floors, spend time doing laps in the indoor swimming pool, enjoying a five-star massage or simply lazing in the whirlpool, hammam or sauna—the perfect prelude to an unforgettable night in the City of Light.
