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Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Hotel Plaza-Athnée, located 25 avenue Montaigne in the 8th arrondissement of Paris, is an iconic palace built between 1902 and 1919 by architects Charles Lefebvre and Louis Duhayon. Initially planned under the name Plaza, its opening in 1913 was delayed by a legal dispute. Director Émile Armbruster adjusted the name to Plaza-Athenée, referring to a previous establishment he headed. The eight-storey, eclectic hotel embodies Parisian luxury from its beginnings, with lounges inspired by the Regency and Louis XV periods.

During the Second World War, the Plaza-Athenée was requisitioned by the German and then American commands before reopening in 1946. In 1936, a major modernization introduced the restaurant Le Relais Plaza, still in operation. The monument was partially classified at the Historical Monuments in 1994 for its facade, roof, hall, and emblematic salons such as the Galerie or the Montaigne Salon. In 2011, he obtained the palace label, distinguishing his excellence in luxury hotels.

The establishment is famous for its illustrious clients, including Mata-Hari, arrested in 1917 in its walls, or Marlene Dietrich, who lived there a romance with Jean Gabin. The 2010s marked an ambitious renovation: expansion through the acquisition of adjoining buildings (2013), temporary closure for construction (2013-2014), and creation of a winter rink in its garden yard. In 2019, the palace was boycotted due to links with Brunei's sultanate, criticized for its repressive laws.

On the gastronomy side, Plaza-Athénée houses starred tables, such as the restaurant Jean Imbert (1 Michelin star in 2021), previously supervised by Alain Ducasse. Its Dior Institut (2008) and its 154 rooms — including Art Deco or classic suites — make it a symbol of French know-how. The Royal Suite (450 m2) and the Eiffel Suites offer views of the Eiffel Tower, while its red decoration and window geraniums have become visual signatures.

Culturally, the palace is associated with figures such as Christian Dior, who presented his collections, or artists such as Frank Sinatra and Elton John. Its bar, designed by Patrick Jouin, and its Evening Harmony (monthly concerts) reinforce its reputation as a musical venue. In 2013, a commemorative trunk was sealed under the Gallery for its centenary, containing objects related to its history.

Owned by the Dorchester Collection group (principal shareholder: Sultan de Brunei), the Plaza-Athenée employs 573 people in 2013, with a cellar of 35,000 bottles and an annual consumption of 250,000 roses. Despite the occasional closures (Covid-19 in 2020), it remains a flagship of the French hotel heritage, combining architectural heritage and contemporary innovations.

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