Steps away from the plush Palais Royal district in Paris, Maison 3 is a bar with as much contemporary edge as risqué history. The building, once an avant-garde theatre under the stewardship of actress and singer Agnès Capri – which hosted French chanteuses such as Juliette Gréco, Barbara, and Edith Piaf – eventually became Le Tigre by l'Alternative, an underground nightclub. The venue has since survived countless transformations before its current rebirth.
Maison 3, Paris
Far from merely reinterpreting the space, Vernin has transformed the venue into a reflection of his vision. Its enigmatic name, inspired by the symbolic third house of the zodiac – linked to connection and communication – hints at its deeper purpose: to bring people together, celebrate life, and nurture relationships. Not coincidentally, it also reflects Vernin’s passion for astrology.
At this enigmatic music bar, social pretences are left behind at the understated white entrance. The door policy, ensuring a balance of warmth and exclusivity, is managed by Jenny Bel’Air, a legendary figure from Paris’ Palace nightclub. Her presence imbues the space with a hint of intrigue, and nods to the city’s glamorous past while setting the tone for its modern-day revellers.
Inside, the venue is a sensory masterpiece, brought to life by French interior architecture agency Les Beaux Jours. The design fuses textures and eras, from banquettes dressed in sumptuous fabrics by Métaphores and Kvadrat to vintage lighting fixtures. The centrepiece – a dazzling marble bar blending art deco with Memphis flair – anchors the room in intimate sophistication. Handpicked treasures from the Saint-Ouen flea market add a touch of soul, while other playful details include mirror-ball mosaics in the restrooms and a bespoke installation lighting the pocket-size dance floor.
Signature cocktails such as Burning Love, Cock Corico, and Padam Panam stand out among an extensive menu of more than 60 beverages and are best enjoyed during the handpicked artistic performances and live DJ sessions that define the pulse of Maison 3 – phones tucked away in the cloakroom and the focus shifted entirely to the present moment.
Maison 3 is located at 5 Rue Molière, 75001 Paris, France, @maison3.paris
-
‘Design should be a simple tool that is beautiful and easy to use, but you don't need to be aware of its beauty or its ease of use,’ says Naoto FukasawaAs a landmark retrospective of Naoto Fukasawa’s work ‘Things in Themselves’ opens at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Japanese master designer speaks with Wallpaper* about the tenets that define his practice
-
Ten watch trends to take you into the year aheadThe watch trends we’re buying, from the minimal to the retro-futurist, the colourful, and the jewelled
-
Hanif Kara on building materials, the transition from old to new, and a healthy dose of realismHanif Kara, co-founder of structural engineering practice AKT 11, discusses building materials and the future of sustainability
-
The cosiest alpine retreats to book in EuropeBrowse the Wallpaper* edit of European alpine retreats where to fully embrace the ski season
-
The world’s most enticing new hotel openingsExplore the best new hotels in the world, from beachfront living at Cheval Blanc Seychelles to otherworldly Zaha Hadid architecture at Me Malta
-
Dine at Paris’s historic Maison Baccarat, reimagined by chef Alain DucasseThe newly opened Ducasse Baccarat restaurant – at the crystal house’s Paris mansion – offers not just a culinary experience but a cultural encounter
-
Stylish Paris ice cream parlours for melting momentsCool off with the best ice cream in Paris: Wallpaper’s favourite scoops span from classics at chef Alain Ducasse's ‘glacerie’ to ice cream sandwiches at JJ Hings
-
Feel at home at Auberge, Château La Coste's new inn for culture loversAuberge La Coste sits at the heart of the art-filled estate, minutes away from the joyful town of Aix-en-Provence
-
Taste Japan from the comfort of Hakuba at Cheval Blanc Paris HôtelNew restaurant Hakuba offers an authentic omakase experience orchestrated by chef Takuya Watanabe and pastry chef Maxime Frédéric
-
Contemporary coastal design rejuvenates Hôtel de la Plage in BiarritzHôtel de la Plage in Biarritz resurfaces with fresh interiors by Olivier Granet and architecture studio Gardera & Pastre
-
Paris’ Hôtel de Crillon celebrates the art of skateboarding with a new exhibitionHôtel de Crillon and The Skateroom anticipate skateboarding’s return at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a special collaboration
