Why go?
Where old Marais charm meets unapologetic flamboyance. Le Grand Mazarin is for the couple who want Paris, but with a literary wink and lacquered edge – a hotel that understands wit is as important as wine.
Honeymoon style:
For the aesthete couple with a penchant for gallery hopping, boutique raiding and the kind of evenings that start with oysters and end with chartreuse. This is for those who collect memories like objets d’art.
Set the scene:
Tucked just behind the Rue des Archives, Le Grand Mazarin feels akin to entering the pages of a Parisian novel, where each corner tells a story of opulence and whimsy. Situated at the intersection of Rue des Archives and Rue de la Verrerie, the hotel stands as a testament to the Marais district’s rich tapestry of history and modern flair. The interiors, masterminded by Martin Brudnizki, exude a blend of 18th-century French elegance and contemporary eccentricity. Guests are greeted by a lobby adorned with jade velvet tassels, mismatched prints, and ornate swan-tap sinks, creating an atmosphere that’s both grand and inviting.
At check-in, the scent of wax-polished wood mingles with Parisian perfume and the clink of cocktail glasses from Bar Boudoir. The lobby is a salon of sorts, with velvet-wrapped banquettes in soft pistachio and bookshelves curated to inspire conversation. Guests range from discreet fashion editors escaping the Left Bank to eccentric art dealers who look as though they’ve come straight from the Christie’s sale room. It’s grand without the hauteur, flamboyant but never fussy.
The ambiance is further enriched by the clientele-a mélange of fashion aficionados, art enthusiasts, and members of the LGBTQ+ community-reflecting the diverse spirit of Le Marais. The hotel’s design, described as “Wes Anderson meets granny chic” by the FT, and as you can imagine offers a visual feast of pastel hues and vintage furnishings, ensuring every moment is Instagram-worthy . Whether you’re sipping a cocktail at the bar or lounging in the drawing-room, Le Grand Mazarin envelops you in a world where classic Parisian charm meets playful modernity.
Rooms
The rooms are poetic – in a literal sense. Each one whispers a different story through pastel panels, antique sketches, fringed lamps and silk-patterned headboards. The parquet floors creak just enough to feel charming, and the beds are so cocooning you’ll debate abandoning the day’s plans entirely.
Bathrooms gleam with jade tiling and swan-necked taps, with Diptyque lining the marble vanities. The minibars are stocked with champagne splits and local treats – the kind you squirrel away in your handbag for a late afternoon by the Seine. For honeymooners, request the Suite de la Reine: its freestanding tub, tucked under a canopy of painted birds, is made for two, and the view stretches out over the rooftops to a clutch of ochre chimneys.
Food and drink
Boubalé is a spirited love letter to the Levant, where smoky plates and generous portions are designed for sharing, not showing off. The room is pure theatre -all velvet drapes, hand-engraved crystal and painted ceilings that gleam in candlelight. It’s as much a salon as it is a restaurant, where lunch blurs into dinner and nobody rushes the bill.
At the helm is chef Nathan Kessous, whose upbringing across France, Morocco and Israel infuses the menu with warmth and instinct. Dishes like the crudo de sériole with green chili and coriander offer a fresh start, while the supreme de volaille au sumac, served with potato purée and a rich jus, provides a hearty main course. For those seeking comfort, the kefta de gambas with sautéed sucrine and xérès vinaigrette is a standout.
Desserts are equally compelling, with options like the mousse au chocolat paired with tahini ice cream, and the panna cotta infused with orange blossom, mango, pistachio, and lime. Each plate is a nod to tradition, reimagined with Kessous’s contemporary flair.
As for the Bar Boudoir, it’s pure Parisian mischief. Order a Voltaire martini under the eye of the philosopher himself, whose portrait watches over the velvet-draped room. The best table? The hidden alcove behind the piano – candlelit and out of sight, where couples sip slowly and talk softly, long after the last course.
The story
Le Grand Mazarin occupies a 19th-century building that once housed the three-star Villa Mazarin hotel and a pair of street-level shops, now quietly transformed into something far more intriguing. It’s the latest address from the Maisons Pariente family, who are behind some of France’s most stylish stays -from the sun-drenched calm of Lou Pinet in Saint-Tropez to the alpine eccentricity of Le Coucou in Méribel.
For this Parisian outpost, they enlisted Swedish interior designer Martin Brudnizki, who drew on the spirit of the French salon -not the stiff kind, but the ones where poets debated politics over chartreuse and dancers floated through dinner. His design flits between playful and plush, an ode to Old World opulence refracted through a modern, slightly surreal lens. It doesn’t take itself too seriously -which is precisely why it works.
This isn’t just another glossy Paris hotel -it feels more like the home of a fabulously eccentric collector, or a scene in a film you’d happily get lost in.
Family-friendly
Surprisingly, yes. While it sings to the romantic in all of us, Le Grand Mazarin doesn’t shut its doors to families. Interconnecting rooms are available, the staff are disarmingly relaxed with children, and the hotel’s discreet courtyard provides a rare moment of peace in the city. Children’s menus at Boubalé come with hand-illustrated activity cards – a stylish nod to the younger set.
Spa
In the basement, beneath vaulted stone ceilings, lies the bathing sanctuary – more private club than spa. The mid-size swimming pool, adorned with a hand-painted mural by Jacques Merle across its vaulted ceiling, offers a serene escape from the city’s hustle. Adjacent to the pool, a jacuzzi and a Hammam spa provide further relaxation options. For those seeking a workout, the TechnoGym-equipped fitness room, with its painted wooden panels and exposed brick, evokes the ambiance of a Parisian wine cellar. The spa also features a small treatment cabin, managed by Parisian cult favourite Anne Cali, where guests can indulge in bespoke therapies.
Location
Smack in the beating heart of the Marais, Le Grand Mazarin is steps from Place des Vosges, a two-minute walk from Maison Plisson and a short stroll from the boutiques of Rue Vieille du Temple. It’s Paris at its most walkable. For honeymooners, this means lazy mornings browsing antiquarian bookshops, espresso in hand, and candlelit dinners at the tucked-away wine bars only the locals know. Gare du Nord is under 15 minutes by taxi, Charles de Gaulle 40 minutes, depending on traffic and the mood of your chauffeur.
To book visit: legrandmazarin.com
READ NEXT: Honeymoon Review: Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris
