Despite its title, Hôtel de la Marine is not a hotel – the huge and magnificent building on place de la Concorde dates from the 18th century and was once where the king stored his valuable furniture, and then the Ministry of the Navy for 226 years, during which of course it was closed to the public.

After those tenants vacated the premises in 2015, and five years of renovation, this incredible place is now open to the public. It’s like having a Château of Versailles in the centre of Paris!

The Hôtel de la Marine has been inherited by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux (the government body that looks after the nation’s monuments) and they have financed restoring and repurposing the building. It cost millions of euros, but there were a few great surprises along the way, like finding the original 18th century interior design in some of the rooms.

The history of the place is a long and fascinating one that you can read in full here on the official website, and French-speakers can enjoy the seventeen (17!) videos below with more info and anecdotes.

When you arrive at the building, it almost looks brand new. The stonework is immaculate, the arched galleries (used by restaurant Mimosa helmed by Jean-François Piège, and the Café Lapérouse) are impeccable, and the interior courtyards are very bright…

The courtyard leading to the ticket office and start of the visit is now coiffed by a roof of transparent cut glass – absolutely stunning – and illuminated by golden lights. Others are made from cut cristal to echo the roof.

There are two different visit circuits available – the more basic (and slightly cheaper) of the two will show you the reception rooms and loggia, plus the Al Thani Collection, one of the most prestigious collections of art in the world, housed in the Hôtel de la Marine for the next 20 years (at least).

However, we think it’s best to choose the full visit – the Grand Tour – that takes 90 to complete, with gorgeous extra rooms and private quarters. This visit comes with a choice of audioguide:

— Travelling through time

— The Age of Enlightenment, or

— The family visit

If you’re not a fan of audioguides generally, this one is going to surprise you. It’s a pair of wireless headphones called the Confidant, and information about the room you are in starts automatically when you enter the room. The most astonishing thing is that the sound surrounds you and remains in place when you turn your head. For example, if you can hear a voice behind you, turn your head and it will come from in front of you.

It’s a crazy effect – the information is given like a play, with actors playing the parts of the inhabitants, plus music and sound effects like the creaking of the wood floors. It’s almost like you’re being followed during your visit!

A lot of interesting tidbits are given – it’s a great experience that we recommend, and the private rooms are really worth paying the extra 4 euros for.

Don’t think that you’ll just see some small, minor rooms. Many are very large and lushly furnished. The wallpaper, the fabrics, the furniture, the crockery, the chandeliers… It’s all very impressive.

The Grand Tour also gives you access to a unique view of place de la Concorde, with the Eiffel Topwer in the distance. The day of our visit it was raining (actually, pouring down), but in good weather it must be a very fine view.

Next, you’ll pass by the monumental staircase to reach the reception rooms and loggia that constitute the ‘reduced’ visit. Several impressive rooms await you here, sometimes with added electronic presentations. Looking at all the gold leaf and luxury, you could almost be in Versailles!

And it’s over – 90 minutes have gone by in a flash, and it’s time to leave the 18th century and return to the 21st. Drop your Confidant off downstairs and exit through the gift shop (obviously), taking one last look at the restaurant (remind us to eat there someday!)

The Hôtel de la Marine is a magical place, and if you don’t have time to get out to the Château of Versailles, it’s a great back-up plan.

We were gobsmacked by the place, and agreeably surprised by the audioguide 2.0 – really well done. Hopefully, our photos will inspire you to get down there (the full photo gallery can be viewed here, and below you have all the info you need to preapre your visit!

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The Hôtel de la Marine (here) is open every day of the week from 10.30am-7pm (9.30pm Fridays)

Last ticket 45 minutes before closing. Rooms emptied 15 minutes before closing

Admission: 13€ reduced visit) / 17€ (the Grand Tour)

Online booking in English here

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[Contes & Histoires]
📖 L’Hôtel de la Marine propose un conte inédit autour de l’un des joyaux du monument du 18 décembre au 2 janvier !
📚 Les enfants et leurs parents découvriront l’incroyable destin du diamant bleu.
👉 Toutes les informations sur : https://t.co/ixWqGtjnqm pic.twitter.com/rGFowHrzvV

— Hôtel de la Marine (@hoteldelamarine) December 13, 2021