Le Narcisse Blanc — Paris, France

Paris’s seventh arrondissement is justifiably celebrated for its soigne collection of fine dining establishments and grandly graceful architecture, not least of which are the Champ-de-Mars and the Esplanade des Invalides. It’s also the epicentre of the city’s ministerial blue-bloods – the National Assembly is nearby – and posh residences of army generals, one of which is now the stately address of the newly opened Le Narcisse Blanc.
The designers Laurent Bardet, Laurence Jean, Thierry Martin and Thibaut Fron have conceived a lush cocoon of soothing hues of cream, mauve, gold, black and the titular white flower – an impeccably tasteful homage to Cléo de Mérode, the ballet dancer who was supposedly a muse for the likes of Degas and Proust.
Each of the 30 rooms and seven suites is configured differently and, like the bright garden conservatory on the ground floor, features high ceilings, natural light and unexpectedly spacious proportions. The best rooms hold court high on the fifth floor with partial views of the Eiffel Tower peeking over the neighbourhood’s elegant mansards.
The biggest surprise though is the basement which features an expansive all-white 12m pool, whirl pool, steam room, sauna, and Carita treatment rooms – a therapeutic bounty one normally associates with a larger hotel and all the more special for it.
ADDRESS
19 Boulevard de la Tour Maubourg
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Daven Wu is the Singapore Editor at Wallpaper*. A former corporate lawyer, he has been covering Singapore and the neighbouring South-East Asian region since 1999, writing extensively about architecture, design, and travel for both the magazine and website. He is also the City Editor for the Phaidon Wallpaper* City Guide to Singapore.
-
The great American museum boom
Nine of the world’s top ten most expensive, recently announced cultural projects are in the US. What is driving this investment, and is this statistic sustainable?
-
Here’s how Heathrow is reimagining airport chaos as ambient music
Grammy-nominated Jordan Rakei turns travel noise into a meditative soundtrack by sampling everything from baggage belts to jet engines
-
Wallpaper* checks into Gansevoort Meatpacking, an art-filled hotel that mirrors the district’s glow-up
This sharp, stylish New York hotel is a fixture in its neighbourhood, where boutiques, restaurants and clubs have long since taken over spaces once occupied by slaughterhouses
-
The most stylish hotel takeovers to pop up at this summer
From Capri to Ibiza, luxury fashion brands are taking over seaside resorts with exclusive boutique pop-ups and bespoke poolside accessories
-
Tour Eurostar’s sleek new lounges in Paris and Brussels
London-based Chris Bagot Architects has designed a stylish environment in which to work or unwind prior to high-speed rail travel
-
Taste a Louis Vuitton summer in sun-drenched Saint-Tropez
The Arnaud Donckele & Maxime Frédéric at Louis Vuitton restaurant returns to the White 1921 Saint-Tropez hotel for its third edition, now with a Michelin star
-
Wallpaper* checks in at Experimental Marais: a lush homecoming for the hospitality force
Experimental Group returns to its Parisian roots, where it opened its founding bar, to launch its first-ever flagship hotel, designed by Tristan Auer
-
Bon appétit! These are the best restaurants in Paris
Experience haute cuisine at the best restaurants Paris has to offer, from a vegetable-centric menu at Arpège to alchemical cuisine at Plénitude
-
Sun-soaked European destinations to visit in spring
Dreaming of Florentine palazzos and Greek islands now that the weather is starting to turn? Check into one of these beautiful European hotels and holiday homes
-
The warmth and comfort of Paris restaurant Margaux: ‘It’s like feasting at grandma’s’
Located on the 16th arrondissement, Margaux dishes up timeless French classics in a setting that feels like home
-
Saint Laurent unveils Sushi Park Paris: the Los Angeles omakase’s new outpost
A beloved Californian restaurant finds a second home at the Saint Laurent Rive Droite flagship, merging the worlds of haute couture and high-end gastronomy