Hôtel de Paris | Monte-Carlo
In 1864, when François Blanc set out to transform a quiet corner of the Riviera into a destination unlike any other, he knew that a hotel would be at its center. Not just a place to stay, but a setting where elegance could be lived. That vision became the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, opening its doors on Casino Square, beside the newly built casino that would soon draw Europe’s elite to Monaco.
The hotel was conceived in the Belle Époque spirit: grand staircases, marble columns, frescoed ceilings. Its architecture reflected a belief that beauty and progress belonged together. From its earliest years, it received royalty, artists, and travelers who wanted not only comfort but atmosphere — a sense of being part of something larger than themselves.
The Flow of History
Decade by decade, the Hôtel de Paris became woven into the identity of Monte-Carlo. Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier walked through its doors; statesmen found discreet meeting rooms; musicians and actors filled its salons after long evenings at the opera or casino. Each guest added another layer to the building’s memory.
Suites of Character
Beyond its famous royal suites, the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo offers other residences that reflect the same spirit of refinement. These spacious apartments combine Belle Époque proportions with contemporary comfort — parquet floors, lacquered furniture, and carefully chosen artworks. Balconies extend the rooms outward, framing views of the port and the Mediterranean that turn each stay into a dialogue between interior elegance and the sea outside.
Flavors of the Riviera
Dining has always been central to the Hôtel de Paris. In 1987, Alain Ducasse chose it as the home for Le Louis XV, the first hotel restaurant to earn three Michelin stars within just 33 months of opening — a record that still stands. The menu continues to celebrate the Riviera, with olive oil, citrus, and herbs from local producers shaping its identity. Beyond Ducasse’s table, the hotel also introduced ÔMER, a Mediterranean restaurant by the same chef, inspired by the cuisines of Greece, Lebanon, and North Africa — a reflection of the Riviera as a crossroads of cultures.
The Cellars Restored
Beneath the hotel lies one of the largest hotel wine cellars in the world, created in 1874 and holding nearly 300,000 bottles. For generations it has supplied the great tables of Monaco, from state banquets to discreet private dinners. In 2025, the space was carefully renewed, balancing its 19th-century character with modern refinement. Today, it not only safeguards rare vintages but also welcomes select guests for private tastings and dinners, offering a glimpse into Monaco’s most guarded treasure.
Interiors with a View
Among the hotel’s most remarkable spaces are the Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III Suites, each designed as a tribute to Monaco’s royal heritage. Spanning hundreds of square meters with panoramic terraces, they combine contemporary design with subtle references to history — from art chosen by the royal family to books and photographs from their private collections. Light is a defining element: floor-to-ceiling windows open directly to the Mediterranean, turning the horizon into part of the décor itself.
Windows on Monaco
The suites look out onto different faces of the principality: Casino Square alive with movement, or the Mediterranean stretching toward the horizon. In both directions, the view is unmistakably Monaco — vibrant yet serene, urban yet coastal.
Photography courtesy of Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, via Condé Nast Traveler, Monaco Woman, Elite Traveler, CNN Travel, LUTE, People, Monaco Reporter, Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer.
— Gem Exploring Editorial
