Paris has always breathed art and exhaled history, and nowhere is this more palpable than in the Marais, where centuries of aristocratic elegance coexist with the avant-garde energy of fashion and art. The district offers treasures like the Musée Picasso, which recently announced an extension with a sculpture garden, and the Atelier Brancusi at the Centre Pompidou (under renovation for at least five years), where visitors glimpse the sculptor’s preserved studio.

Hidden courtyards host designers and ceramicists, continuing Paris’s artisanal lineage, making the Marais a cultural hub. Beyond the Eiffel Tower and Notre-Dame, the Marais is one of the most popular areas of Paris!

Amidst this tapestry of medieval architecture and contemporary creativity, Le Pavillon de la Reine & Spa stands beneath the arcades of the Place des Vosges, the oldest and perhaps most harmonious square in Paris. The hotel’s 56 rooms and suites are elegant and distinctive, welcoming guests with fresh white orchids in vases by the entrance, and a monumental sculpture by Philippe Hiquily.

Built in the early 17th century under Henri IV as part of the original royal urban plan, the square, originally Place Royale, celebrated the engagement of Louis XIII to Anne of Austria, whose memory lives on in the hotel’s name. Born a Spanish princess and married to Louis XIII at just 14, Anne navigated a complex court and later served as regent for her young son, guiding France with intelligence and poise. A patron of the arts and architecture, her presence in the Marais left a lasting mark on Paris, and today the hotel evokes her elegance and refinement. Today, the area hosts art galleries, iconic restaurants, and the headquarters of Issey Miyake, keeping the square’s creative pulse alive.

“The Place des Vosges has always been synonymous with culture, art, and refinement,” explains Sophie Weiss, General Manager of Chevalier which looks after a collection of splendid hotels in Paris. “Once home to Victor Hugo (free to visit today), it has long attracted writers, painters, and thinkers. That spirit still floats through the arcades, gardens, and façades. Le Pavillon de la Reine reflects this timeless charm, a tribute to the French art de vivre, rooted in history yet alive with inspiration.”

For over 40 years, the Chevalier family has mastered hospitality in Paris. Pavillon des Lettres, facing the Élysée Palace, celebrates literature with 26 rooms dedicated to world-renowned authors. Le Petit Moulin, the group’s smallest hotel in the Marais, showcases the creative flair of Christian Lacroix in a building dating from Henri IV. Their latest venture, Pavillon Faubourg Saint-Germain, brings the family’s vision to the Left Bank in historic Saint-Germain-des-Prés, once a haven for literary and artistic figures like James Joyce, T.S. Eliot, and Léo Ferré, and now welcoming Parisians and international visitors with its hotel, restaurant, bar, and spa.

At Pavillon de la Reine, guests enjoy a shaded courtyard garden dotted with sculptures, a private salon called “Le Boudoir” for readings or meetings, and a sense of suspended time softened by the murmur of fountains. Breakfast can be enjoyed inside or on the terrace, followed by a retreat to the Spa de la Reine by Codage, a serene 250 m² sanctuary with a hammam, jacuzzi, and two treatment rooms devoted to calm and renewal. Codage toiletry products are available in the bathrooms.

The interiors, overseen by Didier Benderli of Kérylos Intérieurs, reflect a restrained sensuality: rich textures, deep tones, and contemporary forms harmoniously complement the seventeenth-century architecture. The designer restored Hôtel de Caumont in Aix‑en‑Provence and a Vienna cinema among many other beautiful interior projects. Light filters gently over velvet armchairs and carved beams, golden and textile wallpapers, and warm-hued furnishings, creating spaces that are elegant without spectacle. Very modern and charming indeed. For technology, the rooms are equipped with Marshall Bluetooth speakers and televisions offering international channels.

Guests hail from Europe, North America, Australia, and beyond, alongside a loyal Parisian clientele who value the hotel’s sense of privacy and refined calm. Sophie emphasises the hotel’s ethos: “It is an intimate sanctuary of understated luxury. The soul of Le Pavillon de la Reine lies in its quiet elegance, a blend of history, art, and human warmth.” Every detail, from the 24-hour room service to the honesty bar, the bicycles, and the ivy-draped courtyard, supports this deliberate yet effortless harmony.

Art is integral to the hotel’s identity too. Sculptures in the courtyard dialogue, a stunning with the past and present, and reproductions like Velázquez in the bathrooms celebrate creativity in every corner. The nearby Marais continues this tradition, with galleries such as Mendes Wood DM, David Zwirner, Almine Rech, and Marian Goodman making the district a living museum.

As hotels increasingly make efforts to find urgent solutions to save the planet’s resources, Le Pavillon de la Reine continues on this trajectory. “Sustainability,” she adds, “is part of our daily operations: eco-responsible amenities, reduced plastic use, local suppliers, energy-efficient systems.” Even ecological awareness is woven quietly into the rhythm of the hotel, another layer of care.

“What’s the best asset: the art, the comfort, the design, the strategic location?” Sophie smiles. “All of them, and especially the harmony between them. The comfort is genuine, the design timeless, the art inspiring, and the location simply incomparable. Yet perhaps our greatest asset is the emotion guests feel when they walk through our ivy-covered façade, that instant sense of serenity and beauty.” This sentiment perfectly captures the spirit of the place: emotion as the true measure of luxury, not excess.

The Michelin-starred Restaurant Anne, under Chef Thibault Sombardier and Executive Chef Matthieu Pirola, offers contemporary French cuisine that balances precision, emotion, and the rhythm of the seasons. Dining here, like staying at the hotel, is a study in harmony, between history and innovation, elegance and comfort. Breakfast is a hearty affair, with a variety of pastries, fresh fruit, cereals, and yogurt, plus scrambled eggs and bacon cooked just right. Coffee and juice are brought to your table for a relaxed start to the day.

For culture seekers, the area offers a constellation of treasures. “The Marais is a cultural treasure,” Sophie says, “home to the Carnavalet Museum, and countless art galleries. I always recommend strolling through the hidden courtyards, discovering small concept stores, and pausing in one of the local cafés for a true Parisian moment.” When asked for a hidden gem: “The Hôtel de Sully garden, just behind the Place des Vosges, is a peaceful haven that few visitors ever find. It perfectly captures the spirit of the Marais, history, beauty, and a discreet sense of discovery.”

Discretion has always been part of the Pavillon’s allure. “Yes, indeed,” Sophie admits, “over the years, we have welcomed artists, designers, writers, and actors who value discretion and authenticity. But names remain confidential.” It is easy to imagine, the hotel’s charm lies precisely in this unspoken confidentiality. Superstars often pause in the striking interiors for fashion magazines.

Sophie is honest about her responsibilities: “Our main challenge is to preserve the spirit of intimacy and authenticity while constantly renewing the experience. Luxury hospitality today is about emotion and meaning, ensuring that every guest feels a genuine connection to the place and to our team.” This ethos radiates through every gesture of the staff, through the softness of the atmosphere that never slips into formality.

To stay at Le Pavillon de la Reine is to inhabit the Marais itself: a neighborhood where heritage evolves, where creativity thrives, and where time slows just enough to feel the serene heartbeat of Paris. Pavillon de la Reine feels luxuriously understated. Service is attentive and very personal. The Clefs d’Or concierge is available to assist with outings, excursions, and services such as babysitting. Rare for Paris, the hotel offers complimentary secure parking with valet service, and guests may also borrow bicycles free of charge. Small pets are welcome upon prior request, ensuring every guest feels at home.

Quiet luxury, grace, and a profound sense of place define the experience, leaving guests with an emotion that lingers long after they depart. Le Pavillon de la Reine is more than a place to rest; it is a place to experience Paris with all the sophistication and charm of a private home. The hotel’s courtyards and gardens provide quiet corners for reflection, while the surrounding Marais streets invite leisurely exploration of galleries, boutiques, and cafés. Families, couples, and solo travelers alike will find a welcoming atmosphere, with spacious interconnecting rooms for families and cozy nooks for intimate moments.

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Thanks to Pavillon de la Reine and Vanessa Jacquiot.