Le Meurice faces the Tuileries Garden from rue de Rivoli, between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. Its story began with Charles-Augustin Meurice, a postmaster in Calais who welcomed English travellers on their way to Paris, and who opened a hotel in the capital in 1815. Since 1835 it has occupied its present building on rue de Rivoli, and it is one of the oldest luxury hotels in Paris still in operation.
History
Throughout the 19th century, Le Meurice was the Paris address of British and European aristocracy, and later of artists and writers. Salvador Dalí stayed there every year for more than thirty years, and the hotel’s restaurant Le Dalí is named after him. The hotel belongs to Dorchester Collection.
Architecture and design
The building follows the arcaded façades of rue de Rivoli and has 160 rooms and suites. Inside, the salons and the restaurant Le Meurice are decorated in the style of the Château de Versailles, with gilding, mirrors and chandeliers. The designer Philippe Starck reworked several public rooms, adding a touch of surrealism in homage to Dalí.
Location
From the upper floors, the views run over the Tuileries to the Eiffel Tower and the Musée d’Orsay. The Louvre, Place Vendôme and rue Saint-Honoré are a few minutes away on foot.
Weddings and events
The salons of Le Meurice host weddings, private dinners and receptions facing the Tuileries.
At a glance
What sets it apart
- 01A Paris hotel since 1815, on rue de Rivoli since 1835
- 02Facing the Tuileries Garden
- 03Salvador Dalí’s address for more than thirty years
- 04Restaurant inspired by the salons of Versailles
Chronology
Dates that matter
1771
Charles-Augustin Meurice opens an inn at Calais for English travellers.
1815
Meurice opens a hotel in Paris on rue Saint-Honoré.
1835
The hotel moves to its present building on rue de Rivoli.
1907
The hotel reopens after a two-year reconstruction with lifts, bathrooms and Louis XVI salons.
1940
The German military governor of Paris sets up his headquarters at Le Meurice.
1944
General von Choltitz is arrested at the hotel on 25 August, during the Liberation of Paris.
1997
The hotel is bought by the group that becomes Dorchester Collection.
2007
Philippe Starck reworks the public rooms in homage to Salvador Dalí.
