Hôtel du Louvre: worth visiting for the atmosphere of Paris
If you find yourself near the Louvre and want to see not just the museum but also the living history of the city, pay attention to Hôtel du Louvre. This luxurious five-star hotel is located at Place André-Malraux, in the 1st arrondissement, right across from the Louvre. Even a short stop nearby allows you to feel that same grand Paris that you usually imagine before your first trip.
What makes it special
The hotel was opened in 1855 on the orders of Napoleon III, during a massive reconstruction of Paris led by Prefect Haussmann. Hôtel du Louvre became the first of the major Parisian hotels of its kind, designed for guests of international exhibitions and the new modern city.
Originally, the building stood in a different location, and in 1887 the hotel was moved to its current site to free up space for the Grands Magasins du Louvre department stores. Today it occupies a block between the streets of Rivoli, Roan, Saint-Honoré, and the Place Palais-Royal — in an area where almost every direction leads to a famous Parisian landmark.
What to see
Hôtel du Louvre is executed in the architectural style of the Second Empire period with Ottoman features. Its descriptions mention marble, light wooden finishes, columns, large chandeliers, grand staircases, high ceilings, and a glass roof — details that well convey the scale and theatricality of the building.
It’s worth coming here not for "another beautiful facade," but for the feeling of an old grand hotel. Nearby are the Louvre, Comédie-Française, Palais-Royal, and Rue de Rivoli, so Hôtel du Louvre can easily fit into a walk through central Paris. It’s best to perceive it as an atmospheric stop between the museum, the square, and an evening stroll.
Is it worth going
Yes, if you enjoy historical interiors, grand architecture, and places with a distinct character. For a separate visit, the hotel may not be the main tourist destination, but in combination with the Louvre and Palais-Royal, it beautifully showcases Paris not just as a city of museums, but as a city of style, hotels, and grand urban decor.
If you are nearby, would you stop by to see Hôtel du Louvre or prefer another hall of the Louvre itself?
