Located just a minute from the chic Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Place de la Madeleine, the Champs-Élysées, Petit Palais, Grand Palais (home to FIAC each year), and Musée Jacquemart-André, Hotel Pavillon des Lettres is one of Paris’s most romantic, underrated, and stylish boutique hotels.

Its uniqueness lies in its dedication to literature. The design of its rooms and suites is nothing short of spectacular. The hotel houses twenty-six ultra-luxurious rooms, including Superior Rooms and Junior Suites, spread over six floors of a typically Parisian façade. Each room honors a celebrated author or poet, ranging from Charles Baudelaire, Victor Hugo, Voltaire, Marcel Proust, William Shakespeare, Franz Kafka, to Ovid, making the Pavillon des Lettres a true haven for intellectuals and book lovers.

Vanessa Jacquiot, the hotel’s General Manager, shared with Art is Alive: “Le Pavillon des Lettres opened in January 2011. As a sister hotel to the much-loved Pavillon de la Reine in Place des Vosges, it shares the same ownership, management, and designer. It is also related to Hôtel du Petit Moulin on Rue du Poitou and now Hôtel Le Saint—other properties with excellent reputations among visitors worldwide.”

“There are only 26 rooms: each dedicated to a letter of the alphabet and a writer, from Andersen to Zola. Lines from poems, plays, or texts are an integral part of each room’s design, hand-stenciled above the bed. French authors were selected according to the preferences of the owner and the architect/designer, Didier Benderli of Kerylos Intérieurs.”

The interiors combine contrasting colors and textures with remarkable harmony. Shades of maroon and grey, accented with subtle touches of orange, create an elegant balance, while light is carefully used to enhance the sense of calm, plenitude, and zen. Pavillon des Lettres offers a peaceful oasis amidst the bustling 8th arrondissement.

Every detail celebrates literature: carefully selected quotes adorn the walls of the rooms and breakfast area, inviting guests to reflect or revisit the full works of these iconic authors. Books by each writer are thoughtfully placed on bedside tables, while in the Proust room, guests can savor a small madeleine. A Fornasetti umbrella basket at the entrance adds a discreet touch of luxury, exemplifying the hotel’s attention to detail.

Despite its central location, the hotel is incredibly tranquil. Guests enjoy plush beds, spacious bathrooms with large tubs, Molton Brown toiletries, air conditioning, minibars, free Wi-Fi, large TVs, and fashion magazines. Some rooms feature balconies with stunning views over Paris.

Vanessa explains the inspiration behind the hotel’s design: “We wanted to capture the Parisian spirit in every detail. Didier Benderli has created subtle, sophisticated interiors that are both very French and modern. My personal favorite French author is Gustave Flaubert, Madame Bovary in particular.”

Benderli’s interiors are a refined interplay of the arts, blending literature, painting, and sculpture. The choice of colors and materials is both contrasting and complementary, designed to evoke the pleasures of reading.

The Salon is a charming space for breakfast, a quiet drink from the honesty bar, or a browse in the hotel’s library, with a serene terrace for outdoor relaxation.

The staff at Pavillon des Lettres are warm, professional, discreet, and attentive, making every stay feel like a home away from home. Guests can also borrow bicycles free of charge, a rare and delightful way to explore Paris.

The hotel’s literary focus naturally attracts artists and creatives. Contemporary sculptor Pierre Gaucher has stayed here, and the hotel frequently hosts private fashion and editorial shoots. Artworks are curated by the architect, while books are chosen in partnership with the historic Galignani Bookshop on Rue de Rivoli, which specializes in art history and literature.

Visual arts remain central to the hotel’s identity. Pavillon des Lettres regularly hosts exhibitions, including Reading Wild, Lecture Mon Amour, Parcours Culinaire by Sophie Gassman, and Ombre (Shade) by Baptiste Lobjoy, complementing the literary ambiance while highlighting the neighborhood’s cultural richness.

Vanessa’s top recommendations for visitors in the area include:
-Visiting the current exhibition at Le Grand Palais
-Exploring Musée Jacquemart-André
-Shopping at Le Village Royal Cité Berryer
-Taking an early run in Jardin des Tuileries
-Enjoying the view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe

Her favourite current art exhibitions in Paris? Pablo Picasso & Alexander Calder at the Picasso Museum and Van Gogh at Atelier des Lumières.

Pavillon des Lettres epitomizes the boutique hotel experience: delicate, luxurious, peaceful, with meticulous attention to detail and exceptionally professional staff. It is the ultimate destination for a romantic Parisian getaway and an ideal base for exploring the city’s world-class museums.

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Thank you to Pavillon des Lettres and Vanessa Jacquiot.