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History of the Hotel du Louvre

The Hotel du Louvre was built back in 1855 and then known as the Grand Hotel du Louvre, it was the first luxury hotel in France and was originally located in the building which is now known as the Louvre des Antiquaires

The Grand Hotel du Louvre had 700 guestrooms and a large staff of 1,250 and became renowned for its French and international cuisine, plus it was the first hotel in Paris to achieve recognition equal to its luxurious counterparts in New York and Switzerland.

During the coming years the Louvre area started expanding along with the major department stores and therefore by 1887 the Hotel du Louvre was relocated to the other side of the square, which is where it still stands today and enjoys a prime position with the four facades offering outlooks such as the Musee du Louvre, or the Opera Garnier.

The Hotel du Louvre has always had a reputation as a hotel of character and it has attracted many distinguished guests of social, political and artistic importance throughout the years and has played host to lots of important receptions and official functions.

In 1897 the impressionist Camille Pissarro took up residence at this Paris hotel and it was here, looking from the windows of his rooms that he created several of his great paintings of Paris, and today people now get a chance to enjoy the rich history and can get to stay in the suite known as the Pissarro Suite.

The author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, was also inspired by the atmosphere of the hotel and hence why the Hotel du Louvre is featured in many of his Sherlock Holmes novels, and even today this point is remembered as there are many Sherlock Holmes associations that gather at the hotel.

It was in 1910 that Sigmund Freud first visited the hotel and then returned several times whilst writing his thesis on the childhood of Leonardo e Vinci called Un Souvenir d'Enfance de L?onard de Vinci.  The major theme was his interpretation of the smile of Mona Lisa, which is probably the most famous painting in the World and is displayed in the Louvre Museum, which is directly opposite the hotel.

Over the years things have changed even more and there are now only 177 guest rooms and suites, with additions such as a fitness centre, etc, plus they have all the up to date technology and modern amenities that we would expect from a luxury hotel, but the ambience, plush interior, rich decor and the attentive staff all make this just as desirable a hotel as it was well over 100 years ago.

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